Djokovic Extends Beijing Mastery as De Minaur Retires, Alcaraz Reclaims Tokyo Title

Novak Djokovic collected the 102nd title of his professional career on Tuesday when Alex de Minaur was forced to retire from the China Open final, while Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Japan Open crown just weeks after returning from a lengthy injury absence.

The Beijing final had promised a compelling contest between the veteran Serbian and the Australian fifth seed, but it ended prematurely after de Minaur’s left thigh problem proved too severe to continue. Djokovic had taken the opening set in a tie-break by a 7-6 (7-3) margin and was trailing 0-1 in the second when the 27-year-old Australian called a halt to proceedings.

The warning signs had been visible earlier in the match. After dropping the first-set tie-break, de Minaur left the court to receive a medical timeout, and when he returned his left thigh was wrapped in heavy bandaging. He managed to hold serve in the opening game of the second set, but the physical cost of doing so was evidently too great, and he signalled that he could not carry on.

Speaking at the trophy presentation, a dejected de Minaur apologised to the spectators who had gathered at the National Tennis Center. He made clear that retiring from a final was not the way he wanted the tournament to end and expressed the hope that he would be able to return to compete in Beijing again next year.

For Djokovic, the victory represented another remarkable chapter in a career that shows little sign of slowing down. Now 39 years old, the Serbian has built an extraordinary record of success in the Chinese capital, and Tuesday’s result extended an unbeaten streak in Beijing that has become one of the most striking statistical anomalies in modern tennis. While the manner of the win was not the way any champion would choose to claim a title, it nonetheless added another trophy to a collection that ranks among the most decorated in the history of the sport.

The tennis calendar’s Asian swing often produces unexpected outcomes, with players arriving at different stages of fitness after the demanding North American hard-court season and the year’s final Grand Slam. That context makes the achievements of both Djokovic and Alcaraz on Tuesday all the more notable, albeit for contrasting reasons. Djokovic’s longevity continues to defy conventional expectations about the peak years of a professional tennis player, while Alcaraz’s triumph in Tokyo represents a significant step on the road back from a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

In Japan, Alcaraz overcame an unseeded opponent in Jiri Lehecka, winning 7-6 (4), 6-4 to secure the ATP 500 title. It was the Spaniard’s third trophy of the year, following his earlier successes at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, and it arrived in just the second tournament of his comeback from an injury that kept him out of competition for close to five months.

The 23-year-old had only returned to action at the US Open in late August, making his rehabilitation from a wrist problem a closely watched storyline in the closing months of the season. His performance in Tokyo suggested that the layoff has not robbed him of the qualities that have made him one of the leading figures in the men’s game.

Reflecting on the win, Alcaraz admitted that lifting a trophy again carried special meaning given the difficulties he had endured. He noted that it had been some time since his last title and that the victory felt particularly significant because it came so soon after his return to the tour.

The final itself followed a familiar pattern for Alcaraz, who has often needed time to find his rhythm before imposing himself on matches. He began shakily, losing his serve in the very first game, and errors crept into his game during the early exchanges. Lehecka, ranked 19th in the world, capitalised on that uncertainty and kept the opening set competitive.

However, Alcaraz gradually raised his level, producing a scorching backhand to break back and level the set at 3-3. More uncharacteristic mistakes gave Lehecka encouragement in the tie-break, but the Spaniard delivered a sublime drop shot at a critical moment to take the opening set and establish the platform for victory.

The second set saw Alcaraz assume control, breaking to move ahead 4-3 before closing out the match by forcing an error on match point. He celebrated with obvious emotion alongside his team courtside, a reaction that reflected the relief and satisfaction of a hard-fought return to the winner’s circle. The title was the 27th of his career.

Alcaraz was candid about the psychological challenges that accompanied his rehabilitation. He explained that negative thoughts had frequently entered his mind during the layoff, including doubts about whether he would return healthy, whether he would recapture his previous level, and whether he would be able to strike the ball without pain. He credited his own self-belief for helping him navigate that uncertain period, saying his trust in himself had ultimately paid off.

The scale of that achievement is underlined by the historical context. Alcaraz became the first man to win back-to-back titles in Tokyo since the American Pete Sampras achieved the feat in 1993 and 1994. The comparison with Sampras, one of the sport’s most dominant figures, offers a measure of the significance of Alcaraz’s accomplishment and highlights the difficulty of defending a title on the ATP Tour.

Alcaraz’s schedule now takes him to the Shanghai Masters, where he will face either Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier in his opening match. The main draw of the ATP 1000 event begins on Wednesday, providing an immediate opportunity to build on the momentum generated in Tokyo.

For Djokovic, the Beijing title adds another entry to a résumé that already places him among the greatest players ever to compete. His ability to remain competitive at the highest level well into his late thirties has been a defining feature of the latter stages of his career, and his record in China remains one of his most impressive statistical achievements. The nature of Tuesday’s final will inevitably leave a slightly bittersweet feeling, given that de Minaur was unable to complete the contest, but the trophy count continues to grow.

Both results also serve as a reminder of the physical toll that professional tennis exacts on its participants. De Minaur’s injury, which required heavy bandaging and ultimately forced his withdrawal, illustrates how quickly a tournament can turn on a player’s fitness. Alcaraz’s five-month absence and his careful reintegration into competition underscore the same reality from a different angle. The sport’s demanding schedule, played across multiple surfaces and continents, means that managing the body is as important as managing the opponent.

The China Open and the Japan Open occupy an important place in the tennis calendar, offering ranking points and significant prize money while also providing players with a chance to build confidence before the season’s closing events. Djokovic’s continued success in Beijing and Alcaraz’s title defence in Tokyo ensure that both tournaments remain central to the narrative of the men’s game as the campaign moves towards its conclusion.

As the tour shifts to Shanghai, attention will turn to whether Alcaraz can sustain his improved form and whether Djokovic will look to add to his tally before the year ends. For now, both men can reflect on a week that delivered silverware, even as the circumstances of their victories differed sharply — one decided by an opponent’s misfortune, the other by a determined recovery from adversity.