Djokovic Wins a Record Seventh China Open for His 102nd Title

Plant-based Novak Djokovic has won a record seventh China Open, taking his 102nd career title after Alex de Minaur retired injured in the final in Beijing on Tuesday.

Djokovic won the first set 7-6(3) before De Minaur, struggling with a groin problem, retired after winning the opening game of the second. Djokovic has now played 34 matches at the China Open and won every one of them, NBC Sports reports.

It's his first title since Athens last November. Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have won more in the Open Era, according to Tennis Majors, so Federer's total is now one title away.

It hasn't been an easy year, and he said so afterwards:

This year has been quite challenging for me: Lots of physical and health issues.

"I know that I'm feeling well and striking the ball well, I can compete at the highest level. This week has been evidence of that," he added. It's been 11 years since he last played in Beijing, and he still hasn't lost there.

Djokovic avoids the vegan label and is reported to eat some fish at times, but plants make up the bulk of his diet, and he has long linked that to how he recovers. "I do eat plant-based. I think that's one of the reasons why I recover well," he told reporters in 2019, as reported by PA.

In July he reached the Wimbledon semi-finals at 39 after the longest quarter-final in the tournament's history. In January he became the oldest man to reach the Australian Open final, and last year he beat Hurkacz in Geneva for his 100th title.

Title 102, and counting. Powered by plants.