Novak Djokovic is back in Beijing, from 30 September to 6 October 2026, carrying a record of 29 wins and zero losses across six appearances. He hadn’t played there since 2015. First opponent: Nuno Borges, world number 49.
In comments relayed by Serbian outlet Sportklub, he gave an update: “For now, I feel good. It’s obviously different to play an official match compared to training and practice sets. But for the moment, everything’s fine.”
The rest of the statement was about his record in China and his confidence. Céline only kept one line, the one about practice sets, and copied it straight into her stats folder.
There. Finally someone says it. On Tuesday evening, in a practice set, my forehand down the line lands seven times out of ten, I write it all down. On Sunday at ten, in club league (interclubs, Belgium’s weekend team league), it turns into a different shot. Same zone, same intentions, same pattern. And yet. People think it’s in the head, I know it’s the string, which pulls differently once there’s a scoresheet on the table. He has 24 Grand Slams and he still feels the difference, so it’s technical, it’s not me. Two practice sessions away, mind you.
Céline asked her doubles partner whether their Tuesday sets counted as official if someone was watching from the clubhouse bar. Martine said no, and went back to her chips.
It’s true, we checked: We Love Tennis.
