Novak Djokovic is set to resume his season at the China Open, which starts on September 30, in a return that stands out after his recent US Open exit.

The Serbian’s campaign in New York ended in the opening round, where Mariano Navone beat him in a five-set match. Djokovic has often had a calmer finish to the season in the later years of his career, but 2026 looks different, with both the China Open and the Shanghai Masters on his itinerary.

His upcoming appearance in Beijing also carries extra weight because he has not played the China Open since 2015, the year he won the title. That makes his return to the ATP 500 event a major moment on the calendar.

In a statement posted to his social media, the 24-time Gradn Slam Champion said: “I’m very happy to announce that I’m coming back after many years to play in Beijing at the China 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. A place where I had some incredible memories and great success throughout my career.

“I want to thank all the Chinese fans for for their continuous love and support for so many years. Can’t wait to perform in front of you. See you very soon.”

Djokovic’s history at the event is flawless. He owns a record six titles there and has never lost a match at the tournament. His victories came in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, with final wins over Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The return also comes at a delicate point in his ranking picture, after he recently fell out of the ATP Tour top 10 for the first time since 2018. Since he did not play the China Open in 2025, the event gives him an opportunity to pick up ground.

The draw is likely to be demanding. Djokovic will line up with Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur, and Jakub Mensik. He will also be the seventh seed, one of the lowest seedings he has had at an ATP 500 event for much of his career.

Carlos Alcaraz has joined the growing list of players assured of a place at the season-ending ATP Finals, while Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton emerged as the main beneficiaries in the ATP Rankings Race to Turin after the US Open.

Even though Alcaraz is currently No 4 in the Race, behind Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Shelton, his status as a current-year Grand Slam champion has secured his ticket to the year-end event. The reigning Australian Open champion is therefore in line for Turin through the Grand Slam champion rule.

Sinner was the first man to book his place, qualifying after a run built on five straight ATP Masters 1000 titles and a successful defence of his Wimbledon crown. Zverev’s place was confirmed in August when his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros settled his qualification, and Alcaraz has now followed through the same route.

The Race works with the top seven players after the November cutoff going through, with one further place set aside for a current Grand Slam champion ranked between eighth and 20th. With Zverev and Sinner already locked in, Alcaraz has claimed that reserved spot, which means the top eight in the Race will now qualify.

Zverev’s title run at Flushing Meadows also lifted him to No 1 in the Race, putting him in position to be the top seed in November. Sinner still has more points to defend before the ATP Finals, which keeps that battle open.

Shelton, who captured the Canadian Open in August, climbed to third after finishing runner-up to Zverev at the US Open. He holds a 900-point cushion over Flavio Cobolli, who sits fifth.

The race behind them remains tight. Only 380 points separate Cobolli and Arthur Fils, with Frances Tiafoe between them after reaching the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows. Daniil Medvedev holds the final qualifying place, but Novak Djokovic is only 450 points behind in 15th.

Djokovic qualified for eight straight years from 2018 to 2025, though he chose not to play in 2024 and 2025. Since first qualifying in 2007, he has missed the event only once, in 2017, when injury affected him, and even if he does make the top eight this year, his participation remains unlikely.

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.