ATP China Open 2026 Entry List: Djokovic Returns, Sinner Leads Stacked Field
The ATP China Open 2026 entry list has officially been released, and it is one of the strongest fields the tournament has seen in years. The biggest headline is the return of six-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is back in Beijing for the first time in eleven years. Alongside him, world number one Jannik Sinner headlines a group of seven top-10 players, making the men’s draw at this ATP 500 event look like a mini Grand Slam.
The China Open will be held at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center from September 30 to October 6, 2026. Built for the 2008 Olympic Games and expanded in 2011, the venue is home to the 15,000-seat Diamond Court, a stadium famous for its retractable roof and diamond-shaped design. The China Open is the only ATP tournament in China that carries the country’s name, and it is widely seen as the biggest and most prestigious tennis event in Asia. This will be the 25th edition of the tournament, and the men’s draw will feature 32 singles players competing for a share of the $4,089,385 prize pool.
Djokovic’s Big Comeback
Perhaps the most exciting piece of news from the entry list is the confirmation of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian star, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, has an incredible history in Beijing. He has played the China Open six times — in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 — and won the title every single time, building an astonishing 29-match winning streak at the event. His return in 2026, after an 11-year absence, is a major boost for the tournament and for local fans who remember his dominant run.
Djokovic’s form heading into Beijing has been mixed. At the US Open, his last Grand Slam of the season, he was seeded fourth but suffered a shocking five-set loss in the first round to Argentina’s Nahuel Navone. It was the first time in 20 US Open appearances that Djokovic lost in the opening round, and his first Grand Slam first-round exit since the 2006 Australian Open. Fans in Beijing will be eager to see whether he can bounce back on a surface and in a city where he has historically been unbeatable.
Sinner and a Field Packed with Top-10 Stars
World number one Jannik Sinner will also be at the China Open, playing the tournament for a fourth consecutive year. The Italian has an excellent record in Beijing already, with two titles and one runner-up finish in his three previous appearances. He arrives as the top seed and one of the biggest favorites for the title.
Alexander Zverev, fresh off winning the French Open, has also confirmed his participation. The German has reached the semifinals in Beijing three times (2017, 2019, and 2023) across six appearances, giving him plenty of experience on this court.
In total, seven of the world’s top 10 ranked men have confirmed they will play in Beijing, which is a remarkable number for an ATP 500 event. Based on the official entry list, the main names in the upper section include:
- Jannik Sinner (Italy) – Champion in 2023 and 2025
- Alexander Zverev (Germany) – Semifinalist in 2017, 2019, and 2023
- Félix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) – Best result: second round (2019)
- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – Six-time champion (2009–2015)
- Flavio Cobolli (Italy) – Best result: quarterfinal (2024)
- Alex de Minaur (Australia) – Best result: semifinal (2025)
- Daniil Medvedev – Runner-up in 2023
- Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) – First round in 2024 and 2025
- Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic) – Quarterfinalist in 2025
- Andrey Rublev – Quarterfinalist in 2017 and 2024
- Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) – Second round in 2024
- Jiří Lehečka (Czech Republic) – Second round in 2025
The Rest of the Confirmed Field
Behind the top names, the entry list also includes a strong group of players ranked between 30 and 56 in the world. Many of them are entering the China Open for the very first time, which adds fresh storylines to the tournament:
- Bu (China) – First appearance
- Cameron Norrie (Great Britain) – Second round in 2019
- Alexandre Collignon (Belgium) – First appearance
- Nuno Borges (Portugal) – First appearance
- Thiago Tirante (Argentina) – First appearance
- Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) – First round in 2017 and 2023
- Juan Manuel Cerundolo (Argentina) – First appearance
- Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) – First appearance
- Mariano Navone (Argentina) – First appearance
- Karen Khachanov – Semifinalist in 2019
- Tallon Griekspoor (Netherlands) – Second round in 2024
This mix of Grand Slam champions, rising stars, and first-time participants shows just how much the China Open has grown in prestige and appeal over the years.
What About the Women’s Draw?
While this entry list focuses on the men’s ATP 500 event, it’s worth noting that the China Open also hosts a WTA 1000 tournament for women, which is one of the biggest events on the WTA calendar. According to tournament organizers, the top 75 ranked women in the world are directly eligible for the main draw. Based on current rankings, big names such as world number one Aryna Sabalenka, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, and 2024 China Open champion Coco Gauff are all expected to qualify for the tournament through their rankings.
Why This Year’s China Open Matters
The 2026 China Open is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history. With Djokovic making his long-awaited return, Sinner defending his strong recent record, and seven top-10 players confirmed, tennis fans in Beijing and around the world have plenty to look forward to. The tournament runs from September 30 to October 6 at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, and with this entry list, it’s clear that the 25th edition of the China Open will be one to remember.
