Novak Djokovic was asked at 39, with 102 career trophies behind him, why he was still here. He talked about God, not tennis.
“This is what I have been destined to do. I really believe that God has given me this opportunity and talent to be who I am and to be where I am. I’m grateful. I’m trying to fulfill my mission and potential as much as possible,” he said in Beijing, in comments carried by Spanish outlet Puntodebreak.
The title at the China Open is his seventh and extends an unbeaten run at the venue to 34 matches, per the ATP Tour. It is also his 102nd tour-level trophy, leaving him one short of Roger Federer’s 103 and seven behind the all-time leader, Jimmy Connors.
A final de Minaur could not finish
Djokovic edged a tight first set 7-6(3) against Alex de Minaur. The Australian, troubled by a left thigh problem, had just taken the opening game of the second when he retired from the match.
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“It’s a bit of a strange feeling, to be honest … he retired at the beginning of the second, so it doesn’t feel right to jump around and be joyful,” Djokovic said afterwards.
The route to the trophy was not straightforward. Djokovic came from a set down to beat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals, then advanced from the semi-final when Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a ball into the crowd that struck a spectator. De Minaur’s retirement settled the final.
A season of physical and health issues
Beijing has been one of the brighter weeks of a difficult year, and Djokovic was unusually candid about that in his on-court interview.
“This year has been quite challenging for me: Lots of physical and health issues,” he told reporters, in comments reported by Sky Sports.
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He has not detailed the specific nature of those issues publicly, but he has used similar language about the North American hard-court swing earlier this season, saying his condition on court was well below what he had wanted.
“I know that I’m feeling well and striking the ball well, I can compete at the highest level,” he said. “This week has been evidence of that.”
Shanghai in doubt
Djokovic has not committed to the Shanghai Masters, which runs from 7 to 18 October. He has said his participation will depend on how his body responds after Beijing, according to Puntodebreak, while confirming he intends to play the Paris Masters later this month.
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