Novak Djokovic has been navigating an uneven stretch, with age and results beginning to bite into even his most reliable routines. The 24-time Grand Slam champion arrives at the China Open after consecutive first-round defeats in Cincinnati and at the US Open, where he fell to Thiago Agustin Tirante and Mariano Navone.

Now, Djokovic is scheduled to return to the Beijing event for the first time in 11 years. It is a move that deserves recognition, because he continues to test himself on the ATP Tour and to do so at a tournament he has largely avoided in recent seasons. Yet it also places one of the most impressive records of his career in jeopardy.

Djokovic has never lost a match at the China Open. He has won the tournament every time he has played it, building a perfect 29-0 record at the event. That streak will be on the line in Beijing, and given the form he has shown lately, a first defeat there is a real possibility.

The field only raises the difficulty. Six players from the ATP Tour top 10 are set to compete, including Alexander Zverev, a returning Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, and Alex de Minaur.

Djokovic’s decision looks especially bold when the Japan Open in Tokyo is available in the same week. Carlos Alcaraz is entered there, but only four members of the top 10 are in that draw, among them Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz.

For that reason, the choice to go back to Beijing has the feel of something larger than a simple schedule call. Djokovic will also be expected to play the Shanghai Masters the following week, making for a busy stretch at the start of the ATP Tour’s Asian swing.

The China Open runs from 30 September to 6 October. For Djokovic, it may be a defining test of whether this is another push forward or a final, world-spanning farewell in progress.

Andrea Petkovic has tipped both Iva Jovic and Alex Eala to go on to win a Grand Slam, while saying she expects the Filipina to get there first.

The two young players met in one of the standout matches of the US Open, where Jovic edged a tense third-round contest 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 after three hours on court. The American then won only five games in the following round against eventual semi-finalist Coco Gauff, but it still marked her deepest run yet at Flushing Meadows.

Jovic is ranked 16th in the WTA Tour standings, with Eala two places behind her. Even so, Petkovic, who is 39, believes the left-hander will reach a major title before Jovic does, despite the American being the higher-ranked and younger of the two.

When asked which player would win a Slam in the next three or four years, the German said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, “I think both will win one. I think that’s important for me to state. I think Eala will win one before just because she has that two years [extra in age].

“I’m not picking her because I believe in her tennis more or less. I just think the two years of maturity, even though Iva Jovic is maybe the most mature person I’ve ever spoken to, it’s almost shocking when she opens her mouth. How this 55-year-old woman comes out of her that’s gone through so much life experience.

“I think it’s difficult to account for these two years that Eala has on her. The extra bit of experience, the extra bit of having been in certain moments, the extra bit of life experience, not only experience in tournaments.”

Although Eala has been on tour slightly longer, Jovic has played nine Grand Slams to Eala’s seven. Eala has reached the fourth round of a major once, while Jovic has done so three times this year.

Petkovic still sees the bigger picture as more important, saying women’s tennis is in a strong place and pointing to rivalries and emerging names across the tour. She added, “But honestly, who cares? Because both of them are the future and present of women’s tennis and both of them are so amazing to watch. Right now, women’s tennis is really in such a great place. It’s incredible. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”

Juan Carlos Ferrero has sparked interest by saying he expects to come back to the tennis circuit in 2027, though he would not reveal the player involved.

Ferrero, who worked with Alcaraz for years before their split at the end of the 2026 season, has been away from tennis since then. Speaking to Movistar+, he said: “This year I’m very calm, enjoying my family and preparing for what’s coming next year. I think I’m going to return to the tennis circuit, but I can’t say with whom.”

The remark has prompted speculation about possible destinations, and one name that has repeatedly surfaced is Rafael Jodar. The young Spaniard has been one of the breakout players on the ATP Tour this season, climbing as high as world No 11. He is still coached only by his father, although he has indicated that he may begin assembling a wider coaching team ahead of the 2027 season.

Just hours after Ferrero’s comments, Jodar again discussed the arrangement he has with his father over the 2025 season. In an interview with Eurosport Spain, Jodar said: “The fact that my father is alone in the pit box is unusual on the circuit, as most players have many people in their pit boxes.

“It’s true that it’s the first year, and we’re trying to learn from every mistake we make and from what works, so we can do the same thing next year or learn from our errors. This year it’s working; things are going very well. We get along very well.

“He’s with me practically every week and travels with me. I know it’s not easy living with someone every week, but we get along very well. We’ve had a very good relationship since I was very little, and he’s always helped me a lot and always wants the best for me. That’s the most important thing.”

Ferrero’s coaching resume also includes Alexander Zverev between 2017 and 2018, a partnership that produced one Masters title. His best-known work remains with Carlos Alcaraz, which brought six Grand Slam titles.

Jodar now turns to Spain’s Davis Cup tie against Chile, where he is set to make his debut between September 19th and 20th. The winner will advance to the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy at the end of the year, adding significance to his first appearance.