“You can feel so much weight on your shoulders, but it is what I have been destined to do,” Djokovic said.

BEIJING:

Tennis great Novak Djokovic won his 102nd career title at the China Open on Tuesday after Australian opponent Alex de Minaur retired injured during the final.

The victory extended Djokovic’s perfect record in Beijing to 34 wins from 34 matches and secured his seventh China Open title, his first at the tournament since 2015.

Djokovic Praises His Never-Die Spirit

The 39-year-old Serbian said his determination and resilience had helped him continue competing at the highest level after more than two decades as a professional.

Djokovic credited his “never-die spirit”, grit and dedication for carrying him through a demanding season.

He described tennis as a “quite a cruel sport” because players compete in knockout tournaments throughout the year, while the pressure of performing in front of large crowds makes the sport both demanding and special.

“You can feel so much weight on your shoulders, but it is what I have been destined to do,” Djokovic said.

De Minaur Retires With Injury

In front of a packed stadium, Djokovic won the opening set 7-6 (7-3) in a tie-break.

De Minaur then won the opening game of the second set before retiring because of a left adductor strain.

The world number nine had received a medical timeout and returned to the court with his left thigh wrapped.

“I don’t feel great,” de Minaur told the crowd afterwards, apologising to the fans for being unable to complete the final.

The opening set lasted more than an hour and proved physically demanding, with both players requiring medical attention before the second set.

Djokovic Overcomes Difficult Path to Final

Djokovic faced a challenging route to the title. He defeated China’s Bu Yunchaokete in a demanding three-set match before eliminating top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final.

His semi-final opponent Daniil Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a spectator with a ball, allowing Djokovic to advance to the final.

Djokovic said he had repeatedly visualised himself lifting the trophy in Beijing but acknowledged that his physical condition had made the season challenging.

“I was just trying to find the good feeling on the court,” he said.

The title means Djokovic has now won at least one tournament for 21 consecutive years.

He also became the oldest man to win a singles final since Ken Rosewall won in Hong Kong in 1977 at the age of 43.

Muchova Reaches Women’s Quarter-Finals

In the women’s competition, seventh seed Karolina Muchova defeated former world number one Naomi Osaka in a dramatic three-set match to reach the quarter-finals.

The Czech player won 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (9-7) after a contest lasting two hours and 52 minutes.

Osaka saved eight match points before Muchova finally secured victory with a match-winning volley.

“I was shaking. I’m happy I made the last volley,” Muchova said, adding that she was “really grateful” to have secured the victory.

Muchova will face fellow Czech player Nikola Bartunkova in the quarter-finals.

Andreeva, Alexandrova Advance

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva also booked her place in the quarter-finals after defeating Ukraine’s Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2.

Andreeva will next meet fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, who produced an upset against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

The 28th-ranked Alexandrova won 6-2, 6-2, ending Noskova’s hopes of returning to the Beijing final, where she reached the title match last year.