Djokovic had just won a marathon first set in a tiebreak after 67 minutes in Tuesday's showdown when calling for the trainer for more treatment on his ongoing physical struggles.
But after he'd been treated on court, there was more surprise immediately afterwards when Australian No.1 de Minaur also required an off-court medical timeout for what appeared to be a groin injury.
De Minaur returned, his left thigh heavily strapped, only to play an excellent first game to hold serve in the second set but then glumly approached the net to shake hands with his Serbian opponent, explaining that he couldn't carry on.
It was a sad end to what had been a brilliant, lung-busting contest, with the amazing 39-year-old Djokovic claiming victory at 7-6 (7-3) 0-1 to claim the 102nd title of his career.
"I don't feel great," the heartbroken de Minaur was left telling the crowd at the Chinese National Tennis Centre, adding: "I want to say sorry to all the amazing fans who have come to watch, I didn't want to finish like this, so really, really sorry."
Gracious as ever in defeat, he told Djokovic: "Congratulations to you and your team. It was pretty amazing as a fan of the sport to watch the tennis you produced this whole week."
Djokovic, in response, told de Minaur after lifting the trophy for the seventh time and continuing his unreal record of 34 match wins and no losses in Beijing: "I'm really sorry for the way it had to finish today and I hope you can recover quickly.
"You're definitely one of the most exciting players to watch on the tour and I wish you all the best for this year and years to come."
But for de Minaur, the double blow was that the injury could now seriously jeopardise his hopes of reaching the end-of-season ATP Finals in Turin, especially as the Asian swing now moves straight on to Shanghai for a key Masters 1000 event.
Nothing, though, could be taken away from the incredible Djokovic, who still managed to prevail in a magnificent opening set even while de Minaur was producing some of his most spectacular tennis.
The Sydneysider stretched the great Serb to the limit, testing his physicality after a week in which he'd constantly had more problems from the unspecified medical ailment that's been troubling him all season, requiring him to need medical timeouts in his previous matches too.
That's why Djokovic felt so proud after his first triumph of the season, one which ensured he has now achieved the unreal feat of lifting a title in each of the last 21 years.
Title No.102 on the ATP tour now leaves Djokovic just one behind Roger Federer, with Jimmy Connors' all-time Open era record of 109 still also in his sights.
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