Djokovic Returns to Beijing: Eleven Years and a 29-0

Novak Djokovic announced on Wednesday via Instagram, in a video filmed in Chinese and English, that he will play the China Open from September 30 to October 6. He hadn't set foot in the National Tennis Center since 2015.

"I'm excited to return and play in front of all of you at the National Tennis Centre, one of the most beautiful facilities we have in tennis,"

the Serb said, thanking Chinese fans for their support over the years.

In Beijing, Djokovic has never lost: 29 wins in 29 matches and six titles, the first in 2009, the second in 2010, then four straight editions from 2012 to 2015. The last time he took the court there, he beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

He arrives ranked No. 12 in the world, outside the top ten, seeded No. 7. In New York he had lost in the first round to Mariano Navone 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 after four hours and thirty-six minutes, his first opening-round loss at a Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. The rest of the season tells the story of a final in Melbourne lost to Alcaraz, a semifinal at Wimbledon, and no titles.

The ATP 500 draw lines up Zverev, Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev, Cobolli and de Minaur, and coincides with the return of Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, sidelined since Wimbledon by the right knee problem that cost him the US Open. For Djokovic, 39, starting over on a court where he has never lost a match is the most sensible choice of his autumn.