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# Novak Djokovic's physical concerns in Beijing
- URL: https://courtshark.ai/blog/novak-djokovic-physical-concerns-beijing/
- Published: 2026-10-02T19:01:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T19:01:55.000Z
- Description: Novak Djokovic recovered to win in Beijing, but early fatigue against Nuno Borges and Bu Yunchaokete remains a concern.
- Author: Court Shark Desk
- Tags: news, Novak Djokovic, Bu Yunchaokete, Nuno Borges, China Open, Form

Novak Djokovic won his opening China Open matches, but early fatigue against Nuno Borges and Bu Yunchaokete has renewed concern about his condition. He recovered both times, which keeps his Beijing run alive while leaving a clear question over his starts.

## Troubled starts in Beijing

[Novak Djokovic](https://courtshark.ai/players/novak-djokovic-104925) has won his first matches in Beijing, yet his physical struggles were apparent early in both contests. He repeatedly looked toward his team as he tried to understand the sudden drop in energy. The concern was visible. In each match, Djokovic appeared uncomfortable before the contest had properly settled into a rhythm.

He eventually changed the pattern. Djokovic grew steadier as each match developed and looked stronger near the finish than he had at the start. That recovery helped him avoid an early exit, but it does not erase the difficulties that preceded it. Court Shark lists Djokovic at No. 11, with a 7-3 record across his last ten completed matches. Those results show he has continued to win while managing uneven openings.

## Borges and Bu pushed the issue

The first difficult test came against [Nuno Borges](https://courtshark.ai/players/nuno-borges-132686), and [Bu Yunchaokete](https://courtshark.ai/players/bu-yunchaokete-207352) exposed a similar issue soon afterward. Neither opponent allowed Djokovic to ease into his work. He had to respond. Borges made Djokovic work to gain control, while Bu took advantage when Djokovic looked vulnerable in the early phase.

Bu, a Chinese wildcard, pushed Djokovic close to defeat before the Serbian found a route back into the match. The crowd saw a player struggling for energy, then gradually finding more reliable tennis under pressure. Bu is ranked No. 104 and has gone 6-4 in his last ten completed matches. Borges is No. 49 with the same 6-4 mark, so both opponents arrived with recent results that made them capable of extending Djokovic's problems.

## A concern that has followed him

The Beijing scenes fit a wider pattern from Djokovic's recent season. After opening losses at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, he had spoken about physical issues during matches. That context matters. It makes the slow starts in China harder to dismiss as a brief lapse or an isolated reaction to one opponent.

Conditions in Beijing were not expected to create an unusually severe challenge for him. The shorter match format also appeared more favorable than the longer demands of a Grand Slam event. Yet Djokovic still began both matches looking drained, even before the rallies had built into a long contest. His later improvement offers some reassurance, because he was able to raise his level and finish the job. Still, repeated recoveries can leave little margin for another poor opening.

## Support and the next test

Djokovic received strong backing in Beijing during his win over Bu, despite facing a Chinese player. It was a notable response from the crowd. Their support followed him through another match in which his energy level became a major part of the action, rather than a background detail.

His resilience remains evident. Djokovic has twice found enough control to reverse difficult starts, and his 7-3 recent record supports the view that he can still close matches well. The next challenge is to establish his level earlier. If he continues needing to recover from slow openings, the physical burden could grow as the tournament progresses. Beijing has shown both sides of his current position: the concern is real, but so is his ability to compete through it.

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