by sportswriters Hu Jiali and Jiao Ziqi
BEIJING, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- "Let's go, Novak! Let's go!"
The chant rose from Diamond Court as Novak Djokovic returned to Beijing, 11 years after his previous appearance at the China Open.
The 39-year-old Serbian went on to lift the trophy for a record seventh time, battling physical discomfort and tough opponents along the way.
"I had a year filled with struggle and challenges, not many great results after the finals of Australian Open," Djokovic said after the final. "I didn't know how I was going to feel because the American swing was terrible in terms of feeling on the court, health-wise and physically."
Those concerns were evident from the opening rounds.
Djokovic received medical treatment during his first two matches, including for an abdominal issue during his second-round comeback against China's Bu Yunchaokete. He eventually overcame Bu 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 after nearly three hours.
In the quarterfinals, top seed Alexander Zverev blasted 19 aces and took the opening set. Djokovic, however, stayed in the match and turned it around, breaking the German late in each of the final two sets to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
"I managed to kind of push through and really dig deep, turned some matches around," Djokovic said.
The semifinal against Daniil Medvedev brought another test. Djokovic saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced before taking a 7-5, 5-3 lead. The match then ended abruptly when Medvedev was defaulted after hitting a ball into the stands and striking a spectator.
It was an unusual way to reach the final, but as Djokovic said, "winning against three top-10 players in a matter of three days back-to-back is a great achievement."
"I'm very proud of the achievement here," Djokovic said. "It came at the best possible time as a confidence booster, as a proof that I can still play on the highest level."
The final brought another physical twist. Against Australia's Alex de Minaur, Djokovic won a tight opening set 7-6 (3), before De Minaur retired after the first game of the second set because of injury.
The title was Djokovic's first of the season and the 102nd of his career. It also extended his perfect China Open record to 34-0 and his run of winning at least one ATP singles title to 21 consecutive seasons.
For Djokovic, however, the significance of Beijing went beyond the court.
"Beijing was always my happy place. It continues to be," he said.
From the opening round to the final, every Djokovic night session at Diamond Court was sold out. Fans traveled from different parts of China to see him play, while others waited outside his hotel, the tennis club and the stadium for a chance to meet him.
"I did not expect the stadium to be full for every single match from the first round and people to be so joyful and passionate about me being here, playing in front of them," he said. "It's just the best crowd support I have anywhere outside of Serbia, that's for sure, is here in China."
"I try to always remind myself how special that is, how privileged I am," he added. "Yeah, that also explains why I play well in China, why I feel good, because people make me feel like I'm Chinese, like I'm playing at home."
He even joked that there was only one thing missing.
"The only thing I need is to learn Chinese and get the passport and we are good."
Staying at a hotel near the Summer Palace, Djokovic made a daily habit of walking or running around the historic site. "No joke. I've been going there every single day."
At 39, Djokovic is no longer planning too far ahead. Recovery, physical condition and form have become part of every decision.
"I am not making plans for so much ahead right now," he said. "I'm kind of more really following of how I'm feeling, how good I'm playing, how quickly I'm able to recover."
Yet there is one commitment he was willing to make.
"I will be back in Beijing, for sure," Djokovic said. "I would also like this unbeaten run to stay unbeaten. It would be nice." ■
