The Serb won his seventh China Open title and extended his run of ATP title-winning seasons to 21 straight years. Alex de Minaur retired early in the second set of the final with an injury.
Novak Djokovic won the Beijing title to bring his Open Era total to 102. The 39-year-old Serb remains unbeaten in the Chinese capital: the victory in the final extended his tournament record to 34 wins and no losses. It was his seventh Beijing title.
Djokovic won the first set of the final against Alex de Minaur in a tiebreak, 7-6(3). The Australian took the opening game of the second set, then retired because of a muscle problem in his left leg. Djokovic had earlier beaten Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev.
“This year has been somewhat difficult for me, with many physical and health problems,” Djokovic said after the match. He added that the successful week in Beijing had shown him that when he feels well, he can still compete at the highest level.
The title made Djokovic the first player to win at least one ATP event in 21 consecutive seasons. He moved within one Open Era title of Roger Federer’s 103; Jimmy Connors holds the record with 109. Djokovic plans to play next at the Shanghai Masters.