All eyes are on Novak Djokovic as he prepares for his long-awaited return to the Miami Open. The former world No. 1, playing the tournament for the first time since 2019, is under pressure to bounce back after delivering one of the worst performances of his career against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells.
Djokovic arrived in California with high expectations, and the presence of Andy Murray in his box was seen as a potential boost—just as it had been at the Australian Open earlier this year. However, his match against the Dutchman was nothing short of disastrous, exposing the extent of his current struggles.
Frustrated in his post-match press conference, the 24-time Grand Slam champion pointed to the stark differences between Stadium 1 and the secondary courts as a factor in his defeat. Having already suffered an early exit at the ATP 500 event in Doha, Djokovic looked far from his peak form, raising concerns about the trajectory of his season.
Djokovic in Desperate Need of a Turnaround
Djokovic is set to make his Miami Open debut on Friday, March 21, as he aims to secure the 100th title of his illustrious career. However, questions about his form remain.
Speaking to Sport Klub, top analyst Sasa Ozmo admitted that Djokovic’s recent performances have been concerning. “His match against Matteo Berrettini in Doha wasn’t terrible, considering his limited practice time due to a thigh injury. Berrettini played some of his best tennis, but I didn’t like the way Nole surrendered in the final game,” Ozmo noted.
“But then came that nightmare performance against van de Zandschulp in California. The first set was one of the worst I’ve ever seen him play. Some say the Dutchman played exceptionally well, but I don’t agree. Even at 60% of his usual level, Novak would have won that match. In the end, Botic was eliminated in the very next round.”
With concerns mounting over his form, Djokovic now faces a pivotal moment in his season. Can he silence the doubts and reclaim his dominance in Miami?
