Novak Djokovic Says 'It's a Bit of a Strange Feeling, To Be Honest' After Winning 102nd Title in Beijing

Novak Djokovic won his 102nd tour-level title in Beijing on Tuesday, claiming a record-extending seventh China Open crown after Alex de Minaur retired following the opening game of the second set.

The Serbian won the opening set 7-6(3), but de Minaur was unable to continue after receiving medical treatment and winning the opening game of the second set. Djokovic had described the tournament as one of his best weeks in recent years.

The 39-year-old returned to Beijing for the first time since 2015, when he beat Rafael Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title at the ATP 500 event. He entered this year's tournament with a 33-0 record and extended it to 34-0.

Djokovic had already beaten top seed Alexander Zverev in a demanding quarter-final. In the semi-finals, Djokovic was serving for the match against Daniil Medvedev when the Russian was defaulted after hitting a ball into the crowd.

A Win That Did Not Feel Right

Djokovic acknowledged the unusual circumstances of the victory during the trophy ceremony, saying he found it difficult to celebrate fully after de Minaur's retirement.

'It's a bit of a strange feeling, to be honest,' Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony. 'I want to celebrate, because I've played one of the best weeks in the last couple of years. At the same time, he [de Minaur] retired at the beginning of the second, so it doesn't feel right to jump around and be joyful. But deep inside, I'm very proud of this achievement.'

That comment reflected the mixed emotions surrounding Djokovic's victory. He has collected enough trophies to fill several careers, but this one arrived after a season he described as challenging.

'This year has been quite challenging for me. Lots of physical and health issues. I was just trying to find a good feeling on the court,' he said during the trophy ceremony. 'I know that if I'm feeling well and striking the ball well, I can compete at the highest level. This week has been evidence of that.'

He also acknowledged the expectations that came with returning to a venue where he had never lost.

'It's been 11 years since I last played here,' Djokovic said. 'I always have high expectations of myself and always want to visualise myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing, a place where I have never lost. But I was also aware that reality is a little bit different these days.'

Djokovic's 102nd Title in Beijing

The numbers attached to the victory are remarkable even by Djokovic's standards. His 102nd tour-level title leaves him one behind Roger Federer's 103, the second-most in the Open Era. Jimmy Connors leads with 109.

Djokovic also became the first man in the Open Era to win at least one tour-level singles title in 21 consecutive seasons.

On hard courts, his 73 titles lead Federer's 71, with Andre Agassi third on 46.

The victory also boosted Djokovic's position in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. He rose six places to ninth and moved 140 points ahead of 10th-placed de Minaur, strengthening his bid to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Beijing remains an especially comfortable setting for Djokovic. His victory extended his perfect record at the China Open to 34-0, continuing a remarkable run at an event he first won long before many of the current generation of challengers had established themselves.

De Minaur's Painful Exit

De Minaur remained competitive before injury intervened. The Australian kept Djokovic under pressure early in the match and earned a break point at 2-2, 30/40.

Djokovic answered with a backhand passing winner that drew a roar from the crowd inside the stadium. He then produced a tight first-set tie-break, taking it 7-6(3).

Both players received medical treatment after the opening set. Djokovic was treated on court, while de Minaur left the court for treatment. De Minaur returned to start the second set, won the opening game and then retired. Reuters reported that he retired with a groin injury after returning with his left thigh heavily bandaged.

'I want to say sorry to all the amazing fans that came to watch this match. I didn't want to finish like this, so I'm really, really sorry,' de Minaur said. To my team, those who are here and also back home, thank you. It's been a great week and I'm sure there's plenty more to come.'

The retirement brought an early end to the final, with Djokovic securing his seventh China Open title and de Minaur finishing as runner-up.