Djokovic in seventh heaven

Seven visits. Seven titles. Still unbeaten.

Novak Djokovic claimed his record-extending seventh China Open crown on Tuesday night — and his first since 2015 — after ousting three top-10 rivals over three days to extend his win streak in Beijing to an unprecedented 34 matches.

In the final, the 39-year-old faced Australian Alex de Minaur, a player 12 years his junior.

The first set was a physical battle that lasted 68 minutes, before Djokovic edged it, rolling out his signature lockdown tiebreak after 12 straight holds to open the match.

The grueling opening set took its toll on both men, and each needed medical timeouts before the second.

Surprisingly, after Djokovic's recent physical record, it was the younger De Minaur who buckled first, only managing one more game before retiring with a left adductor strain.

The Australian's retirement, though, means Djokovic will end the season with at least one title for the 21st consecutive year, and as the oldest man to win a singles final after Ken Rosewall did so in Hong Kong in 1977 at the age of 43.

The win also added a 102nd title to the Serb's legendary career, leaving him just one behind Roger Federer on the all-time singles title list — and seven shy of Jimmy Connors.

"I always had high expectations for myself, and the goals and desires are always high, particularly in a place where I had never lost before," Djokovic said.

"But I was also aware that reality is a little bit different these days."

It is Djokovic's first title in just over a year, a roller coaster period for the Serb.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion beat Jannik Sinner to reach the Australian Open final in January, before ultimately losing to Carlos Alcaraz. That was followed by a third-round exit at the French Open, falling to Brazil's Joao Fonseca. He bounced back at Wimbledon, reaching the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Sinner.

Then came the US Open — and a crushing first-round loss that left him in tears.

"This year has been quite challenging for me, lots of ups and downs and physical and health issues, so I was just trying to find a good feeling on the court."

And boy did he find it in Beijing.

He battled back to beat world No 2 Alexander Zverev, who fired 19 aces on Sunday — a match the Serb described as one of his best of the year. He then led third seed Daniil Medvedev by a set and a break, before the Russian was disqualified from their semifinal after accidentally striking a spectator with a ball that he seemingly hit away in frustration.

"Many times I've questioned whether I want to keep on playing this way, feeling this way on the court," Djokovic said. "But this week has proven me wrong once again and given me a great confidence boost on the court," said Djokovic.

After an 11-year absence from the tournament, Djokovic's return has drawn packed crowds to the National Tennis Center in the Chinese capital. In every round he has played, the central Diamond Court has been packed with local fans chanting his name, providing him a level of "home support" not seen outside his native Serbia — even against China's own Buyunchaokete.

For Djokovic, that has been "an instrumental part of" his success in Beijing.

"I wouldn't be getting such great results in a place where I'm not feeling particularly well or at home," he said.

"It's the best crowd support I have anywhere outside of Serbia.

"I'm really pushing myself to the very limit, particularly when you play finals of a big tournament in front of a full stadium.

"You're not just playing for yourself; you're playing for people, you're playing for the sport. You know, there's much more that you carry if you are a star player.

"You can feel so much weight on your shoulders, but it is what I have been destined to do," Djokovic added.

Gan Jiejie, a tennis fan who attended his quarterfinal and the final, said she is always struck by Djokovic's grit and his calmness on key points.

"I've watched him play for years, but seeing him live is different. He may no longer have the physical edge, but he uses his tennis IQ to battle for every point, and, in those moments when it looks hopeless, he just refuses to give in. That's probably why we love him," she explained.

At the award ceremony, Djokovic deliberately addressed the crowd in Chinese, saying: "I love China, I love Beijing," to express his gratitude for that unwavering and unique support.

At the post-match news conference, Djokovic spoke about his love for Chinese culture, mentioning his interest in traditional Chinese medicine and that he practices qigong.

Staying next to the Summer Palace, he made the landmark part of his daily routine — a way to clear his head between matches.

"I put on my glasses and I run, or I walk, and I just go and explore nature," he said. "I love the hills and just being around nature and trees, and it kind of gives me a good start to the day."

He described it as a stunning place with incredible history and tradition — one where "you can feel that in every step, with so many incredible dynasties that were ruling the country".

As for De Minaur, the 27-year-old walked back onto the court with his left thigh heavily strapped.

"I don't feel great," he told the crowd.

"I want to say sorry to the amazing fans that came to watch... I didn't want to finish like this."

Djokovic noted after the match that tennis is "quite a cruel sport", with players competing in knockout tournaments year-round.

While it can sometimes be disappointing and take its toll, as it did for De Minaur on Tuesday, and so often for the Serb in recent times, it is the stakes and pressure of performing in front of fans that made the sport "so demanding and so special", he added.

So, wearing a crown that is unassailably his, and buoyed by the positive affect that China seems to have on his game, Djokovic heads to the Shanghai Masters to chase a fifth, record-extending title there, too.