Tennis titan Novak Djokovic, making his presence felt in sunny Miami, has been assiduously honing his skills alongside coaching maestro Andy Murray. This Serbian icon, no stranger to the sprawling Hard Rock Stadium, having graced its courts during the 2019 tournament, is now seeking to reclaim his past glory after a six-year hiatus filled with myriad changes.
The once reigning world number one finds himself in need of match play to shake off the lingering effects of a disappointing showing at the Indian Wells Masters 1000. There, he suffered an early exit at the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp, marking one of the low points in his illustrious career.
Speculations were rife among the fanbase that ‘Nole’ would give the Miami Open a miss this year, choosing instead to re-energize and prepare for the red clay season. However, the 24-time Grand Slam victor has altered his 2025 timetable, resolving to participate in a greater number of tournaments.
Currently, the outcomes of his efforts leave much to be desired for a sportsman of Djokovic’s caliber. The 37-year-old Belgrade native, in a candid confession following his premature exit from the first Masters 1000 of the season, acknowledged his ongoing struggles. His performance in California was a far cry from his 2024 run when he managed to reach the third round. The recent match was particularly painful, with Djokovic committing nearly 40 unforced errors.
Consequently, Djokovic and Murray have been working tirelessly on refining the former’s game, with special emphasis on his forehand. This stroke, which has often been his Achilles’ heel, tends to falter when the ex-world number one is not in peak form.
Despite boasting six victories in Florida, it has been ages since Djokovic last savored success in this tournament. This year, he will face off against the victor of the match between his countryman Hamad Medjedovic and the Australian whiz Rinky Hijikata, whom he defeated in Brisbane earlier this year. Djokovic’s path to glory may also feature a potential semifinal clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
