SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic has set qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin as his key goal to close the 2026 season after extending his perfect record in Beijing with a seventh China Open title. Djokovic topped Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev en route to the championship, his 102nd ATP title, and now heads to the Shanghai Masters for an opening-round test against Hubert Hurkacz at the ATP 1000 event while sitting ninth in the Race to Turin.
Speaking in a pre-tournament interview in Shanghai, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said the push for Turin was on his mind even before Beijing, especially after a difficult stretch in the United States. “Yeah, it was also before that. I mean, I really kind of after US Open obviously I didn’t that’s why I said I was surprised slightly, you know, with the level because the way I felt particularly felt and played in America was really horrible,” Djokovic said. “I didn’t know how I’m going to be feeling health-wise physically in Beijing. It was a phenomenal week and I said, you know, if I’m in a contention, which I am, right now, [I’m] definitely [going to] try to, you know, push my chances and see, you know, if I can make it to the Tour [Finals].”
Djokovic added he is eager to return to the year-end championship after missing recent editions. “I would love to play,” he said. “I haven’t played there since 23, so it would be it would be nice to be back.” Djokovic has won the ATP Finals a record seven times and has played the event 16 times in his career, one fewer than Roger Federer’s record of 17 appearances, a mark he would equal with qualification and participation in Turin this year.
The Beijing triumph also moved Djokovic within one title of Federer’s career total of 103 ATP titles, with Jimmy Connors’ record of 109 still ahead. Securing points in Shanghai against Hurkacz offers his next chance to climb into the top eight and strengthen his bid for Turin.