Just a month ago, tennis enthusiasts were amused by Novak Djokovic’s unconventional tennis match atop a camel in Doha. Now, the Serbian superstar is back with yet another outlandish spectacle, this time on the Miami courts, engaging in a friendly game of pong with American tennis sensation Coco Gauff. Despite Gauff walking away as the victor, she was quick to confess that their performance was far from commendable.
Djokovic and Gauff have had a challenging start to their respective seasons, with neither securing a major title yet. Djokovic’s promising start at the Australian Open was cut short due to a muscle tear, forcing him to retire during his semifinal match against Carlos Alcaraz. His struggles continued with an early departure from the Qatar Open at the hands of Matteo Berrettini and a startling first-round defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp at the BNP Paribas Open.
Similarly, Gauff’s journey mirrors Djokovic’s. After ending 2024 on a high note, she began the year with a strong performance at the United Cup. However, maintaining consistency has been a struggle for Gauff. She exited the Australian Open quarterfinals following a loss to Paula Badosa and subsequently suffered surprising defeats in Qatar and Dubai. Despite showcasing moments of brilliance at Indian Wells, she was unable to progress beyond the R16. Nevertheless, before the Miami Open, she engaged in a light-hearted match with Djokovic, providing a much-needed reset for both players.
In a series of videos shared by the official Miami Open Instagram account, Djokovic and Gauff were seen participating in the Giant Pong Challenge. Much to the amusement of tennis fans, Gauff explained the rules to Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner. The task was anything but easy, with wind becoming a formidable opponent on the center court. Despite the challenges, Gauff clinched the win, while Djokovic, who had forgotten his racquet and borrowed one from Lorenzo Musetti, made a commendable comeback attempt.
Off the court, both players have been maximizing their pre-tournament time. Gauff launched her signature shoe shortly after her exit from the BNP Paribas Open, while Djokovic attended the Miami Open pre-party. Now back on the court, Djokovic is set to play his first match at the Miami Open since 2019. Gauff, on the other hand, has already begun her campaign impressively, securing a ‘double bagel’ victory.
Gauff’s impressive form continued as she dominated Sofia Kenin in the R64 match, losing just 18 points and advancing to the third round with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Despite her commanding performance, she confessed to being slightly anxious about the one-sided scoreline. However, being native to Florida, Gauff feels at home in Miami, and her performance so far seems to indicate her comfort in familiar conditions.
Up next, Gauff is set to face Maria Sakkari, who she recently defeated at Indian Wells. While Sakkari holds a 5-4 advantage in their overall encounters, they are tied 2-2 in U.S. events. Can Gauff continue her impressive performance and secure a spot in the pre-quarterfinals? Only time will tell.