In a recent riveting interview, tennis legend Novak Djokovic opened up about his professional journey, revealing that the joy of the game continues to be his driving force. The Serbian ace signaled that his best performance might not be far off, as indicated by his triumph over Rinky Hijikata in the opening set of the Miami Open.
This victory marked a significant turnaround for Djokovic, who had been experiencing a slight slump with a three-match losing streak. His 6-0, 7-6[1] win over Hijikata was particularly noteworthy, considering his opponent’s remarkable resilience and the fact that this was Djokovic’s first appearance at the Miami Open since 2019.
The Tennis Channel asked Djokovic to shed light on his performance, to which he responded with satisfaction. He said, “It was flawless for a set and a half, to be honest. When we changed the ball after seven games, it was a strange feeling because there was quite a big difference in the way the ball bounced.”
Djokovic further elaborated on the match, describing how Hijikata started making more first serves, and became increasingly aggressive on the backhand side. Although Djokovic admitted to struggling to break his opponent’s serve, he was proud of his overall serving performance and his ability to clinch the win.
Reflecting on his recent losses against Matteo Berrettini in Doha and Botic van de Zandschulp in Indian Wells, Djokovic seemed optimistic about his current form, emphasizing his resolve to bag his sixth title in Miami. He said, “After a mini-crisis of not playing my best in Doha and Indian Wells, I really wanted to start off well at the Miami Open. I’ve had two weeks since that defeat against van de Zandschulp and I really worked hard. I felt really good out there.”
Djokovic, who is nearing his 38th birthday, confessed to finding it challenging to maintain his motivation in tournaments outside the four Grand Slams. However, he remains committed to delivering the levels of performance he believes he’s capable of. He highlighted the importance of staying healthy, taking care of his psychological state, and fostering the motivation to keep going.
Djokovic explained, “If I play like I did [against Hijikata], then I feel joy on the court, regardless of where I am. I want to keep going for as long as I have that feeling. So long as I have the feeling that I can compete with the guys at the highest level, I’ll keep going. That feeling is not going to be there every time, but as long as I feel it, I have the support of the people closest to me to carry on playing.”
Djokovic’s positive demeanor during the interview signaled his enjoyment of his time in Miami. There’s no doubt that as long as this formidable champion continues to find joy in the game, he poses a formidable threat to any opponent he faces on the court.
