southsports

Novak Djokovic Opens Up About Physical Struggles After Beijing Victory Novak Djokovic has admitted that the 2026 season has been a major physical challenge after requiring another medical timeout during his China Open campaign in Beijing. The 24-time Grand Slam champion made the admission after fighting back to defeat China's Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the last 16. The victory extended Djokovic's perfect record at the Beijing tournament to 31-0 at the time.  Djokovic was forced to receive medical attention during the second set, once again raising concerns about his physical condition. However, the Serbian managed to recover, level the match in a tiebreak and then take control of the deciding set. The 39-year-old stressed that his struggles should not simply be interpreted as a problem with stamina. Instead, he said he has been dealing with health-related issues throughout the season, although he did not reveal the specific condition affecting him. “Truth is that this year has been a big, big struggle for me,” Djokovic said after the match, explaining that he has been searching for ways to remain physically and medically fit enough to compete at the highest level.  His comments come after a difficult period during which physical problems have interrupted his season. Djokovic also experienced difficulties during the North American hard-court swing and suffered a surprise first-round defeat at the US Open, his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006.  Despite those setbacks, Djokovic has continued to demonstrate his competitiveness in Beijing. After overcoming Bu, he went on to produce another impressive comeback against top seed Alexander Zverev, defeating the German 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.  The victory over Zverev was particularly significant because Djokovic had to withstand the German's powerful serving and aggressive baseline game before turning the match around. He saved his best tennis for the crucial moments and secured decisive breaks late in both the second and third sets.  Djokovic's performance has once again highlighted the gap between his physical difficulties and his ability to compete with the world's best players. Even during a season in which his health has been a major concern, he continues to find ways to win important matches. His objective is now to finish the season strongly. Djokovic has also indicated that he wants to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, although his position in the race remains uncertain. The Serbian's return to Beijing has already produced an impressive run, and his victory over Zverev moved him into the semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev.  For Djokovic, the challenge is no longer simply about winning tournaments. Managing his body and remaining healthy enough to compete consistently have become equally important as he enters the final stages of another demanding season. Nevertheless, his performances in Beijing have shown that, when he is able to find the right physical condition, Djokovic remains capable of defeating elite opponents and competing for major titles.