{
  "id": 8087105,
  "title": "Djokovic back at China Open after 11-year absence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/djokovic-back-at-china-open-after-11-year-absence",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T19:48:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/djokovic-back-at-china-open-after-11-year-absence/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Novak Djokovic is set to return to the China Open after an 11-year hiatus, according to the 24-time Grand Slam champion. The 39-year-old Serb aims to regain his momentum following his recent struggles, including a shocking first-round defeat at the U.S. Open and a plummet to world number 12. Djokovic will compete in the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he has a perfect record and six tournament titles to his name. His last victory at the China Open occurred in 2015, the most recent year he participated in the tournament. The decision to return follows his U.S. Open first-round loss to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone, which Djokovic lost 3-6, 3-6 after vomiting mid-match and struggling with back and shoulder issues that impacted his serve. The defeat marked the first time Djokovic had fallen in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. \"I am excited to come back and perform in front of all of you at the National Tennis Centre – one of the nicest venues we have in tennis,\" Djokovic expressed on social media. The men's draw at the China Open will take place from September 30 to October 6. Last year, world number one Jannik Sinner claimed the men's title at the tournament.",
  "summary": "Novak Djokovic will return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, the 24-times Grand Slam champion announced on Wednesday, as he looks to rebuild momentum after slipping to world number 12 and suffering a shock first-round exit at the U.S. Open. The 39-year-old Serb is returning to the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where … The post Djokovic back at China Open after 11-year absence appeared first…",
  "key_points": [
    "Novak Djokovic returns to China Open after 11-year absence",
    "39-year-old Serb aims to regain momentum after recent struggles",
    "Last China Open win was in 2015"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}