Carlos Alcaraz headlines first China Open line-up in 4 years – but there’s no sign of Novak Djokovic

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Carlos Alcaraz headlines first China Open line-up in 4 years – but there’s no sign of Novak Djokovic

Chinese tennis fans will be treated to watching some of the biggest stars in the game when the China Open finally returns to Beijing next month after four years away.

Organisers announced the men’s singles line-up on Thursday, which features nine of the world’s top 10-ranked players, including Wimbledon and US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The only exception is world No 1 Novak Djokovic – a six time champion at the China Open, which kicks off on September 26 at the National Tennis Center in the Chinese capital, and wraps up on October 8.

“I am very happy to meet the special and familiar Chinese fans, and to taste Chinese food,” world No 3 Medvedev of Russia said.

The women’s tournament in Beijing will also feature world No 1 Iga Swiatek, world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka, world No 4 Elena Rybakina, and China’s Zheng Qinwen.

The event has not been held since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the WTA’s boycott of China after claims made by women’s star Peng Shuai, which it finally backtracked from in April.
The WTA’s climbdown on a boycott of China after claims made by Peng Shuai brought about the return of the China Open. Photo: AFP
Some notable Chinese tennis stars were missing from the men’s line-up, including Zhang Zhizhen – who is into the third round at the US Open after beating 2022 finalist Casper Ruud – and Wu Yibing, as the tournament overlaps with the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

But 18-year-old Shang Juncheng, who is ranked No 160 in the world, will make an appearance.

Chinese fans expressed their excitement over the “exciting” and “very luxurious list” on social media.

“The China Open men’s competition is about to enter the grand slam level,” one user wrote on the Twitter-like platform Weibo.

 

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