Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis at the 2026 China Open has produced victories, but his performances in Beijing have also raised fresh questions about his physical condition.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion battled through his opening two matches, defeating Nuno Borges before recovering from a difficult position against Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete. While Djokovic showed the resilience that has defined his career, his struggles early in both matches were noticeable.
Djokovic Shows Signs of Physical Strain
Djokovic appeared to be struggling for energy during the early stages of his China Open matches. The Serbian repeatedly looked toward his player box and appeared frustrated by how he was feeling on court.
The concerns are particularly notable because the China Open is played in a best-of-three-set format rather than the longer five-set matches found at Grand Slam tournaments.
Despite the difficult starts, Djokovic found ways to turn both matches around. Interestingly, he appeared to become stronger as each contest progressed.
Former British player Colin Fleming highlighted that Djokovic managed to stabilize physically and finish strongly after looking vulnerable earlier in the match.
Recent Physical Problems Have Raised Questions
The China Open performances come after Djokovic acknowledged physical difficulties following his defeats at the Cincinnati Open and US Open.
At the US Open, Djokovic was eliminated in the opening round by Argentina’s Mariano Navone. The result prompted further discussion about whether the physical demands of professional tennis are beginning to affect the veteran champion more significantly.
Tennis great John McEnroe also discussed Djokovic’s physical situation after that US Open defeat. McEnroe noted the extraordinary level Djokovic had maintained earlier in the season while also acknowledging that age eventually affects every athlete.
Djokovic Has Still Produced Major Results
Despite the recent concerns, Djokovic’s 2026 season has included performances that demonstrate he remains capable of competing at the highest level.
He defeated Jannik Sinner in Australia in January and reached the final. Djokovic also advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals and recorded a notable victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime during his run.
Those results make his struggles at the US Open and China Open particularly difficult to interpret. Djokovic has shown that he can still produce elite tennis, but maintaining his physical level throughout tournaments appears to have become an increasingly important issue.
China Open Crowd Gives Djokovic More Motivation
Djokovic has also received strong support from the Beijing crowd during his China Open campaign. The reception has provided an additional boost as he attempts to add more titles to one of the most decorated careers in tennis history.
His ability to fight through difficult moments remains one of his biggest strengths. The wins over Borges and Bu also showed that Djokovic can still find solutions even when he is not operating at his best physically.
What Comes Next for Novak Djokovic?
For now, there is no definitive public explanation in the provided report for Djokovic’s recent physical struggles. His performances have led to questions about fatigue and his ability to maintain his level, but the China Open victories also demonstrate his trademark competitiveness.
Djokovic’s next matches will provide another indication of how his body responds as the tournament continues. At this stage of his career, every tournament brings increased attention to his workload and physical condition.
One thing remains clear: Djokovic continues to fight. Even when his performances raise concerns, his ability to recover during matches and produce victories means he cannot be dismissed easily.
The China Open has therefore become another important chapter in the ongoing story of Novak Djokovic’s remarkable career.
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