Novak Djokovic identified his dominant 18-month run spanning the 2015 season and the first half of 2016 as the peak of his professional career, according to ATP Tour reports.
Beijing Semifinal Victory Sparks Career Assessment
The 39-year-old Serbian star holds multiple historically elite stretches to choose from, including his 41-match win streak and initial rise to world No. 1 in 2011, alongside a 2023 campaign where he secured three major titles and fell just short of a calendar Grand Slam. Yet he singled out the mid-2010s as his most relentless period of competition, when he eclipsed the 16,000-point barrier in the rankings—a threshold no other player has achieved.
During that 18-month span, Djokovic collected 17 trophies, comprised of five major championships and 10 ATP Masters 1000 crowns, while advancing to five additional finals. His run of superiority included a flawless campaign at the 2015 China Open, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final while losing just four games and dropping zero service sets throughout the tournament.
“Everything in 2015 and the first six months of 2016 were the best 18 months of my career. I played the best tennis of my life in that moment,” Djokovic stated after defeating Medvedev. Reflecting on his past dominance in Beijing, he added, “2015 was a fantastic year for me in the China Open. I had one of the most conclusive victories of my career here in 2015. I have wonderful memories.”
Return to Top Form in Beijing
Djokovic enters Tuesday’s championship match against Alex de Minaur sporting an unblemished 33-0 career record at the tournament, having surrendered only four sets total across his appearances in the Chinese capital, including two dropped during the current week. The run has guaranteed his return to the top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings from his current position at No. 11, following victories over top-tier opponents including Alexander Zverev and Medvedev in the preceding rounds.
“I think I’m going to run a lot. I anticipate another battle, a very demanding one physically,” Djokovic said. Seeking his 102nd career title and his seventh in Beijing, the 101-time ATP Tour champion aims to extend his streak of winning at least one tour-level title every season since 2006.
Tuesday Title Match Context
While acknowledging the physical demands of facing de Minaur, Djokovic expressed confidence in his current physical condition and the ongoing support from local spectators as he pursues his first silverware of the year.
