Novak Djokovic, the formidable tennis champion, has brought an end to his unsettling three-match losing streak by clinching victory in his first match at the Miami Open. This triumph has propelled him into equalling the illustrious record of his long-standing rival, Rafael Nadal, for the maximum number of victories at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
The Serbian professional tennis player displayed an impressive performance against Rinky Hijikata from Australia. Despite a challenging second set that led to a tie-break, Djokovic managed to secure victory with a 7-1 score. The first set was a smooth sail for Djokovic, with a straightforward 6-0 win.
This much-needed victory has been a breather for Djokovic, who had been grappling with a losing streak that consisted of his unexpected withdrawal from the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev earlier this year, followed by defeats at the hands of Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp.
Amid the buzzing ambiance of the colossal Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, Djokovic displayed glimpses of his former glory against Hijikata, who put up a spirited fight throughout the match. This win marked Djokovic’s first successful match in Miami since 2019.
This triumph has allowed Djokovic to tie with Nadal’s record of 410 victories in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. If he secures victory in his forthcoming match in Miami, Djokovic will surpass Nadal to top the all-time list of winners in the most prestigious ATP Tour events.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic stated, “I was playing really well, at a very high level from the beginning. I knew exactly what I wanted to do tactically. I played him in the first match of the season in Brisbane. So I think it was good to do some homework, look at those videos.”
Djokovic further acknowledged his recent struggle post-Australia, admitting that recovery from an injury took longer than expected to regain his rhythm and form. However, he expressed his excitement and gratitude to compete at the highest level in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Miami.
This victory has added momentum to Djokovic’s journey as he sets his eye on the grand prize of clinching a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in 2025. Currently ranked number 5 in the ATP Rankings, Djokovic aims to break into the top four to avoid an early clash with top players at the French Open scheduled for late May.
Djokovic is on the chase for his seventh title in Miami. If he manages to win the title, he will be trailing just behind world No 4 Taylor Fritz in ranking points as they head into the European clay court swing next month. With his recent victory, Djokovic has shown that he’s ready to reclaim his aura and revive his tennis dream.