Novak Djokovic reveals what Andy Murray did that helped him produce ‘flawless’ Miami performance
Djokovic Credits Andy Murray for ‘Flawless’ Miami Open Start
Novak Djokovic has revealed that advice from his coach and former rival Andy Murray played a crucial role in his dominant opening-round victory at the Miami Open.
The former world No. 1 looked sharp as he defeated Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6(1) to secure a spot in the last 32 of the Masters 1000 tournament.
“I spent a lot of time with my team, training and discussing what needed to be done—not just from a tennis perspective but also mentally and emotionally,” Djokovic told Sky Sports after the match.
“After Australia, I started doubting my game a little. I didn’t have a great match, and then I lost to [Matteo] Berrettini in Doha—he played really well.”
Overcoming a Rare Losing Streak
Heading into Miami, Djokovic was on a three-match losing streak, something he hadn’t experienced since March 2018.
At the 2025 Australian Open, the Serb was forced to retire in the semi-finals against Alexander Zverev after losing a tight first set due to a hamstring injury. He then suffered early exits in Doha and Indian Wells, falling to Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp, respectively.
Djokovic admitted that discussions with Murray were instrumental in regaining his confidence.
“Andy and I talked about the game, and we both agree—if I continue doing the right things and playing good-quality tennis in practice, it will come.”
Reflecting on his match against Hijikata, Djokovic was pleased with his performance.
“The first set and a half, it was flawless tennis. I think it was fair that the second set went to a tie-break, and I played great there.
“It’s just the first match, but the way I felt on the court and the way I played was really encouraging.
“I haven’t played here for six years—it’s an amazing place.”
How Long Will Djokovic Keep Playing?
The 37-year-old was also asked about his future in the sport and what will determine how long he continues competing.
“If we have to boil it down to two things—staying healthy is definitely number one. I’ve done pretty well with that for most of my career, but obviously, my body isn’t the same as it was 15 years ago, so I have to put more time into taking care of it.
“The second thing is my psychological state—waking up in the morning, feeling motivated, and wanting to keep pushing.
“If I’m feeling and playing the way I did today, I still find joy on the court, and that keeps me going. As long as I can compete at the highest level, I’ll continue. The desire is there, and I have the support of my closest people. Let’s see how far I can go.”
Next Up: Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Djokovic will face Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the third round, marking their first-ever meeting on the ATP Tour.
