Novak Djokovic will once again meet his fans at the China Open as he comes to Beijing for the tournament. (Photo : REUTERS)
Legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic will be making his sixth appearance as defending champion at the China Open in Beijing in October.
The world's number one, who recently claimed his ninth Grand Slam crown in London over the weekend, has confirmed the news, stirring anticipation among his Chinese fans.
The Beijing Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) 500 tournament has been a favorite of Djokovic, who is known for his precise backhand strokes.
The Serbian player made his first appearance at the tournament in 2009 and since has remained undefeated. He only missed its 2011 edition because of an injury, but he was able to snatch five titles and a 24-match win streak.
"Playing in Beijing always means a lot to me, and I love playing in the China Open," the 28-year-old remarked, putting his excellent Beijing stint down to his fans.
"I'm thankful for the support of all of my Chinese fans, especially the 'Nole Family' (name of his fan group) members. I really hope to entertain the crowd and try to continue my winning streak," Djokovic added.
The China Open is currently regarded as the biggest WTA-ATP event in the Asian region. It is staged at the 11-court National Tennis Center, which served as a venue for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. It has a 15,000-capacity stadium court featuring an retractable roof.
China Open's 2015 edition will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11.
Djokovic is considered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He is ranked by the ATP as the global leading player in men's singles tennis. He is coached by Wimbledon champion Boris Becker.
