Novak Djokovic became the oldest men’s tournament winner on the professional tour since 1977, claiming his seventh China Open title in Beijing after opponent Alex de Minaur retired with a left-leg injury while trailing 7-6(3), 1-0.
Retirement in Beijing Secures Victory for Djokovic
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic extended his flawless record in the Chinese capital by capturing his 102nd career singles title. welt.de reported that the 39-year-old Serb secured the championship when Australia’s Alex de Minaur was forced to stop playing due to a leg injury at the start of the second set.
Djokovic has now won 34 matches in Beijing, remaining undefeated at the tournament since his first match in 2009. The victory marks his first tour-level trophy after completing his 39th year, making him the oldest male champion on the professional circuit since a then-43-year-old Ken Rosewall won in Hong Kong in 1977.
That means more than just winning a trophy,
Djokovic said after collecting the silverware.
Physical Toll and Disputed Halbfinal Lead Up to the Final
The path to the Beijing final tested Djokovic physically, echoing a season he described as a constant battle. During a mid-tournament press conference, the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that health complications had made most of his matches this year a physical struggle. The truth is that this year has been a big, big fight for me, with some very specific problems,
he noted, declining to specify the exact medical issue.
Djokovic reached the title match under unusual circumstances when semifinal opponent Daniil Medvedev was disqualified near the end of their second set. The Russian player struck a ball into the stands in frustration after losing a point, hitting a spectator in the face and prompting officials to award the match to Djokovic at 7-5, 5-3, 15-15.
Historical Parallels with Ken Rosewall’s 1977 Milestone
Djokovic’s latest triumph places him in tennis history alongside Ken Rosewall. While Rosewall lifted his 1977 trophy in Hong Kong at age 43, Djokovic’s victory at 39 represents a rare achievement on the professional tour.
Despite visible fatigue during long rallies in Beijing—frequently leaning over his racket and catching his breath—Djokovic managed to maintain his edge before de Minaur applied a bandage to his left leg and conceded the match.
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