Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed resurgent runs to ATP 500 titles in Beijing and Tokyo, respectively, this week.
The triumphs for the two superstars, who have combined for 31 Grand Slam titles, was an antidote to the disappointing news that world No.1 and reigning Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner will miss the rest of 2026 due to a knee injury.
Djokovic’s win was especially resonant, with the Serbian capturing his 102nd career title – one behind Roger Federer’s 103 on the all-time list, led by Jimmy Connors with 109 – while improving his China Open win-loss record to a staggering 34-0.
At age 39, it was his first title of the season; his last came in November 2025 in Athens.
“Beijing was always my happy place. It continues to be,” Djokovic said after prevailing against an injured Alex de Minaur in the final.
“Of course, I’m very proud of the achievement here. It came at the best possible time as a confidence booster, as a proof that I can still play on the highest level. Winning against three top-10 players in a matter of three days back-to-back is a great achievement.
“I’m obviously filled with joy.”
Since reaching the Australian Open final, Djokovic had struggled, playing just six tournaments in the next eight months and winning only nine matches in that span while dealing with underlying health issues.
Yet he tapped into his early season form in Beijing, evoking memories of his stunning AO semifinal victory over Sinner with a thrilling three-set defeat Alexander Zverev, this year’s Roland Garros and US Open champion.
He was leading Daniil Medvedev 7-5 5-3 in the semifinals before Medvedev was defaulted after a ball he hit struck a spectator in the stands.
In the final against De Minaur, Djokovic won a high-quality first set before the Australian succumbed to an adductor injury.
“I haven’t been here 11 years. I had a year filled with struggle and challenges, not many great results after the finals of Australian Open. I didn’t know how I’m going to feel because the American swing was terrible in terms of feeling on the court, health-wise and physically,” Djokovic explained.
“I must say in some of the matches here I did struggle, as well. I managed to kind of push through and really dig deep, turned some matches around.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz won his first title since Doha in February thanks to a 7-6(4) 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka in the final at the Ariake Coliseum.
It was a welcome return to form for the Spaniard, who began his season with the Australian Open title and went undefeated in his first 16 matches.
Wrist tendonitis, which reared its head in Barcelona in April, had kept Alcaraz out of action until the US Open.
Yet in just the second event of his comeback, he defended his Tokyo title and earned a 27th career ATP trophy at just 23 years of age.
“Obviously a lot of negative thoughts come to your mind: if you are going to come back healthy, if you are going to come back the same as I was before. If I will be able to hit the ball normally without pain at all,” Alcaraz told atptour.com, about his mindset upon returning.
“But I tried to put those thoughts away all the time… I just have to go full for every shot, every ball, and I trust [my team], I trust myself, and it worked out.
“I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again. It’s been a while, and obviously it is extra special after my injury. My comeback, in the second tournament that I’ve played, lifting a trophy means a lot.
“A tough week. I didn’t find my best level, but I did find the good solutions, and I think that is what matters at the end.”
After dominating the 2025 season alongside Sinner, whom he met in three consecutive Grand Slam finals, Alcaraz faced Sinner just once in 2026 and his return has coincided with Sinner’s absence.
The Italian has not played since defending his Wimbledon crown and will have missed almost six months of action should he return as expected in early 2027.
His absence means Zverev looks assured of rising to world No.1 for the first time and ending the season in that position.