Novak Djokovic claimed the 102nd title of his career on Tuesday after Alex de Minaur retired injured from the China Open final in Beijing. 

Djokovic led 7-6 (7-3), 0-1 when the Australian stopped due to a left-thigh issue, handing the Serbian his seventh title at the tournament.

At 39, Djokovic became the oldest champion in ATP 500 history and extended his unbeaten record at the China Open to 34-0.

The victory also secured him at least one singles trophy for a 21st consecutive season, an Open Era record.

The final had promised a worthy contest between two players separated by 12 years. 

De Minaur, ranked ninth, had produced a strong run to the championship match, while Djokovic arrived after a semi-final in which Daniil Medvedev was disqualified for striking a spectator with a ball. Djokovic did not face a match point in either his semi-final or the final.

The Serbian edged the opening set on a tie-break, taking it 7-3 after neither player created a break point early on. 

De Minaur began the second set, but his movement quickly appeared restricted. After falling 0-1 behind, he consulted the medical team and decided he could not continue.

The manner of its conclusion naturally muted the occasion. De Minaur received support from the Beijing crowd as he left the court, while Djokovic accepted the trophy and acknowledged the Australian’s misfortune. 

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has often spoken about the importance of staying healthy across a long season, and this result arrived only after a demanding few days in the Chinese capital.

His semi-final victory over Medvedev came after the Russian was disqualified while Djokovic was serving, leaving the Serbian without the chance to complete the contest on court. 

He then needed only one set and one game against De Minaur to secure the championship.

The title moves Djokovic to within one of Roger Federer’s 103 tour-level championships, with Jimmy Connors leading the Open Era on 109.