Novak Djokovic seemingly laments recent struggles & bad form with Miami Open campaign set to begin

Novak Djokovic Reflects on Recent Struggles Ahead of Miami Open Debut

Novak Djokovic has openly acknowledged his recent dip in form, admitting that his serve has been his only saving grace during rallies. As he prepares for his first Miami Open appearance in six years, a clip from his practice session surfaced, capturing his concerns.

In the video, Djokovic can be heard saying, “Only good serves are saving me. Only good serve is saving me to stay in rally and in contact.” This comes as the 24-time Grand Slam champion looks to rediscover his best tennis after a tough start to 2025.

Djokovic’s Rocky Start to 2025

Djokovic kicked off the year with a quarterfinal run in Brisbane and a semifinal finish at the Australian Open, where he was forced to withdraw mid-match due to injury. Since then, he has struggled, skipping most of the Middle Eastern swing and suffering a first-round exit in Qatar.

His return at Indian Wells also ended abruptly, as he fell in the second round to Botic van de Zandschulp (2-6, 6-3, 1-6), marking his third consecutive loss—a streak he hadn’t experienced in over seven years.

Miami Open: A Fresh Start?

Now seeded fourth in Miami, Djokovic will begin his campaign against Rinky Hijikata on Friday, March 21, at Hard Rock Stadium. Despite his struggles, he remains confident, expressing his determination to regain his best form.

“I’m in pursuit of the level of tennis I want. I haven’t been close to my best in Indian Wells and Doha. After my withdrawal in Australia, I’ve struggled to find that quality again.”

However, Djokovic remains optimistic, emphasizing the hard work he’s been putting in behind the scenes:

“I’ve been working hard, giving it my all on the practice court. Eventually, it’s going to come—I know that. Hopefully, here in Miami. I thought I had a good shot at the title in Melbourne, so it was unfortunate how it ended.”

This will be Djokovic’s 19th appearance at the Miami Open, a tournament where he holds a 7-4 win-loss record. As he seeks to turn his season around, all eyes will be on whether the six-time Miami champion can reclaim his dominance on the court.