Novak Djokovic beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) in the first round of the China Open in Beijing on Wednesday. The win took his record at the tournament to 30 matches without a defeat. The 39-year-old Serbian needed one hour and 50 minutes and a medical timeout to get through. He will now face Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete in the next round.
Background: Djokovic’s Beijing Record
Djokovic has never lost in Beijing, and he has won the China Open six times, with his last title coming in 2015. This was his first match at the event since that year, so the win came after an 11-year gap. The tournament is an ATP 500 event, a level below the Masters 1000 series.
The 2026 season has been tougher than usual for him. After a first-round loss at the US Open, he had not played for nearly a month before arriving in Beijing. Entering the match, he was ranked 11th in the world and held a 14-7 record for the year, which became 15-7 after this win.
His fans in China remain loyal, and the stands in Beijing were full. Djokovic has long said that he feels comfortable in the city, and the unbeaten streak adds to the sense of history around each of his matches there.
Details: How the Match Unfolded
Djokovic took the first set 6-3 with solid baseline play. He saved two break points after a pair of double faults, and then broke to close out the set. The first set suggested a comfortable day for the former world number one.
The second set was harder. Djokovic stretched his back with his racquet between games, and he needed a medical timeout while a trainer treated his right shoulder. Borges, the world number 49 from Portugal, took advantage of the slower start and pushed the set to a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Djokovic raised his level and won it 7-2. He clinched the match when Borges returned a ball into the net. The result kept alive his unbeaten run in Beijing and moved him into the next round.
What Comes Next in Beijing
Djokovic’s next opponent is Bu Yunchaokete, a wildcard from China. Bu reached the last 16 by beating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. The home crowd will likely back him, but Djokovic will be the favourite on paper.
His physical condition will be the main question. Reports say he has had health issues in recent months, and the shoulder and back problems seen on Wednesday may worry his team. How he recovers before the next match will matter.
Quotes: What Djokovic Said
After the win, Djokovic said it was a great pleasure to be back in what he called his “happy place.” He added that the conditions and atmosphere in Beijing suit his game. He also said he is a very different person and player from the one who last played in the city 11 years ago.
Djokovic said he was thankful the streak had survived and hopes to keep it going. The comments show how much the Beijing record means to him, especially at this stage of his career. He has not given a detailed update on his shoulder.
Impact: Why the Result Matters
For Djokovic, the win is a useful boost after a difficult stretch. A deep run in Beijing would help his ranking and confidence before the end of the season. It would also add to a career that already includes a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
For the tournament, his presence brings crowds, attention and television audiences. Organisers in China have long relied on star names, and Djokovic remains one of the biggest. For the sport, the match is another sign that he can still beat strong opponents even when not fully fit.
Novak Djokovic Profile: Age, Height, Wife and Net Worth
Many readers search for details about Djokovic’s life off the court. He was born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, which makes him 39. His listed height is 188 cm, or about 6 ft 2 in.
His wife is Jelena Djokovic, and the couple married in 2014. They have two children, a son named Stefan and a daughter named Tara. Estimates of Djokovic’s net worth vary by source, with some placing it at around $240 million and others at about $250 million. These are estimates, not audited figures.
Conclusion: What to Expect
Djokovic will aim to extend his streak when he plays Bu Yunchaokete in the round of 16. Much depends on whether his shoulder and back hold up. If he stays fit, he remains a threat to anyone in the draw.
Beyond Beijing, attention will turn to how he finishes the season and how he plans for the next year. At 39, each tournament carries added weight. For now, the China Open win keeps his record in the city spotless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the richest man in tennis?
It depends on how you define “in tennis.” Among former and current players, Roger Federer is usually ranked first, with estimates ranging from about $550 million to more than $900 million, depending on the source and how his investments are valued. One 2026 ranking cites Forbes as putting Romanian businessman and former player Ion Țiriac at roughly $2.3 billion, which would make him the richest person linked to the sport. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal sit below Federer in most lists. Because net worth is estimated, not publicly reported, figures differ between publications.
What did Djokovic’s wife do?
Jelena Djokovic, born Jelena Ristić, is best known for her work with the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which focuses on early childhood education in Serbia. She has been closely involved in running the charity and is often seen alongside her husband at major events. The couple met as teenagers and married in 2014, and they have a son and a daughter. She also manages much of the family’s public life and travels with Djokovic during the season. Her exact job titles have changed over time, so check the foundation’s website for her current role.
Who is richer, Djokovic or Nadal?
Most estimates put Djokovic ahead of Nadal. Several 2026 lists place Djokovic at about $240 million to $250 million and Nadal at around $220 million. Djokovic has also earned more in career prize money than any other player, passing $190 million as of early 2026. Nadal, though, has strong business interests, including his academy in Spain. Since these are estimates and sources vary, the safest summary is that Djokovic is generally listed as the wealthier of the two.
Who is Djokovic’s best friend?
Djokovic has never named a single “best friend” in an official statement, but he is often described as very close to fellow Serbian player Viktor Troicki. The two grew up in the same tennis circles and played together on Serbia’s Davis Cup team. Other Serbian players, such as Nenad Zimonjić, have also been part of his close circle. His wife Jelena and his coaching team are also key figures in his life. Readers should treat “best friend” as an informal label used by media, not an official one.
Notes for you (not part of the article):
- Sources: the match details come from AFP (via France 24, Dawn and Japan Today), Flashscore and The Big Lead. Net worth and “richest” figures come from published lists (Scotsman, Celebrity Net Worth, and a Forbes-citing ranking). They conflict, so I kept ranges and wording like “estimates.”
- Please verify: Djokovic’s wife’s job details, the “best friend” answer, and his height and birthplace come from general knowledge, not the search results. Check them against an official source before publishing.
- Record: the 2026 record is shown as 15-7 after the win, per The Big Lead. One line says 14-7 before the match, which follows from that.
- Quotes: only one direct quote is used, in line with the copyright limits. The other statement is paraphrased.
- Keywords: your net worth, wife, age and height keywords all appear in the profile section and FAQs.
- Originality: the article is in fresh wording, not copied from Tribune or AFP.
- Citations: if the citation markers do not copy into your CMS, remove them before pasting.
