Djokovic to return to China Open after 11-year absence

BEJING (Agencies): Novak Djokovic will return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, the 24-times Grand Slam ​champion announced on Wednesday, as he looks ‌to rebuild momentum after slipping to world number 12 and suffering a shock first-round exit at the U.S. Open.  The 39-year-old ​Serb is returning to the ATP 500 event ​in Beijing, where he boasts a perfect record ⁠and a tournament-best six titles. Djokovic’s most recent China ​Open triumph came in 2015, the last year ​he competed at the tournament. The decision follows his first-round loss at the U.S. Open to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in five ​sets. Djokovic, a four-times champion in New York, vomited ​midway through the match and was hampered by back and ‌shoulder ⁠issues that affected his serve late on. The defeat marked the first time Djokovic had lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 ​Australian Open. “I am ​excited to ⁠come back and perform in front of all of you at the National ​Tennis Centre – one of the nicest ​venues we ⁠have in tennis,” the former world number one said on social media. The men’s draw at the China ⁠Open ​runs from September 30 to October ​6. World number one Jannik Sinner won the men’s title last year.