Novak Djokovic speaks Mandarin to wow Beijing crowd after China Open triumph

Novak Djokovic won his seventh China Open title on his return to Beijing after 11 years. He then thanked fans in Mandarin, underlining his unbeaten record and bond with the crowd.Novak Djokovic won the China Open title on Tuesday (AP Photo)Beijing,Oct 6, 2026 20:11 ISTNovak Djokovic continued his extraordinary run in Beijing, winning a record seventh China Open title after returning to the tournament for the first time in 11 years.The Serbian defeated Australia's Alex de Minaur in the final on Tuesday, although the match ended prematurely after the Australian retired with a groin injury. Djokovic had won the opening set 7-6(3) and de Minaur retired after winning the first game of the second set, with the match lasting one hour and 14 minutes.The victory extended Djokovic's perfect record at the China Open to 34-0. He has now won all seven editions of the tournament in which he has played, adding the 2026 title to his previous triumphs in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He had not returned to Beijing since beating Rafael Nadal in the 2015 final.But after the trophy was secured, it was not Djokovic's tennis that stole the show. During his on-court interview, the 39-year-old delighted the Beijing crowd by speaking in Mandarin and thanking the fans for their support. Djokovic has developed a huge following in China over the years, and his attempts to communicate with local fans in their language have become one of the ways he has strengthened that connection.His Mandarin came as no surprise to those who have followed his relationship with Chinese fans. During the 2023 United Cup, Djokovic surprised players and reporters when he spoke Mandarin after Serbia's victory over China. He has also used simple Mandarin phrases during this year's tournament to acknowledge the support he has received from the Beijing crowd. The reception in Beijing has been particularly warm during his return. After beating Chinese player Bu Yunchaokete in a three-set battle in the round of 16, Djokovic thanked fans who had stayed in the stadium until almost midnight. He said the support had been particularly special because he was playing against a Chinese player.After Tuesday's final, Djokovic again acknowledged the relationship with the crowd.Wins the title, then switches to Chinese for the crowd. Novak Djokovic “34 -0, seventh trophy, Perfect record, perfect touch.” https://t.co/JkCIDRShLg— Bilyamin.. (@nigerianpapi_ng) October 6, 2026"It's been 11 years since I played here last, and honestly, I always have high expectations of myself. I obviously want to always visualise myself with a trophy, particularly here in Beijing - a place where I've never lost," he said."But I was also quite aware that reality is a little bit different these days, 11 years later. This year has been quite challenging for me, with lots of ups and downs, physical and health issues, etc."The China Open was Djokovic's first tournament since his shock first-round defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open last month. It was also his first title of a difficult 2026 season.His run in Beijing, however, required him to overcome some serious challenges. Djokovic began his campaign with a straight-sets win over Portugal's Nuno Borges before being pushed to three sets by China's Bu. He then defeated Alexander Zverev, the second seed, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.In the semifinals, he was leading Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 5-3 when the Russian was defaulted after hitting a ball into the stands that struck a spectator. Djokovic was just three points from victory when the match ended.The victory also took Djokovic's career tally to 102 tour-level titles, moving him within one of Roger Federer's 103 for second place in the Open Era. Only Jimmy Connors, with 109, has won more.At 39, Djokovic also became the oldest man to win an ATP Tour singles title since Ken Rosewall in 1977. More importantly for the Serbian, he finally had a trophy to show for a season that had tested him physically and mentally. And in Beijing, where he has still never lost, Djokovic found perhaps the perfect place to remind everyone that he is not finished yet.- Ends