He throws an object at Novak Djokovic: ejected from the arena

Jannik Sinner will not be there, making Novak Djokovic the undisputed star on the eve of the 2026 China Open in Beijing. The former world No. 1 was greeted by dozens of jubilant fans during a training session at the venue in the Chinese capital.

Before the session, Nole stopped to smile and sign autographs on posters, notebooks, and caps. One of the fans, perhaps caught up in the excitement of getting an autograph from the Serbian star, threw his cap at the 24-time Grand Slam champion, hitting him in the face. Djokovic gave him a withering glare, then continued undeterred to sign autographs as if nothing had happened.

His team, however, spotted the man and asked security to intervene, and he was immediately escorted out of the facility.

Djokovic, who was eliminated in the first round of the U.S. Open, wants to get back in top form ahead of the Six Kings Slam, which kicks off in mid-October, where he is expected to face the world’s best players, hoping to take home a substantial prize purse.

Djokovic himself had announced his participation in Beijing with great enthusiasm on social media: “I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be returning to play in Beijing after so many years. I’m excited to perform in front of all of you again at the National Tennis Center, one of the most beautiful venues in the world of tennis.” This marks his first return to the tournament since 2015 and carries special significance, given Nole’s almost legendary record at this event: six appearances, six titles, and 29 wins out of 29 matches played, without ever losing a single match.