Former world number one Novak Djokovic returns to the Miami Open presented by Itau for the first time since 2019, making his second appearance at the tournament’s current home, Hard Rock Stadium.
Six-time Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic is back in Florida to compete at the Masters 1000 40th edition, ending a five-year hiatus.
The Serbian, who captured his six titles at the event’s former home, Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, will open at Hard Rock Stadium, facing Australian Rinky Hijikata.
The world No. 86 defeated Hamad Medjedovic 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, setting a matchup with the fourth seed.
Bidding to lift his first trophy this season, hitting a career milestone of 100 tour-level titles, the 37-year-old will take the hard courts on Friday to meet an opponent he toppled early this season at the Australian Open.
The Miami Open presented by Itau, is the fifth tournament the 24-time major champion contests in 2025.
Early in March, the Belgrade-born experienced his third straight loss at Indian Wells, shocked by Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
Previously, Italian Matteo Berrettini took down Djokovic in straight sets at the Qatar Open.
At the AO, he struggled to find his rhythm. But once he did, he produced high-level tennis to record three-set wins over two top 20 Czech players, Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, locking in a quarterfinal box office with world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
The 2024 Paris Olympics men’s singles gold medalist delivered a masterpiece performance throughout his 15th quarterfinal Down Under against the Spaniard, rallying from one set down to clinch a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win after an epic three-hour and 37 minutes late-night contest.
Then, he lost to world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, retiring after losing the first set tiebreak in the semifinals in Melbourne due to injury.
It’s been a difficult start for the former world No. 1, but at the second Masters 1000 of the season, the 99-time ATP titlist, mentored by coach Andy Murray, will have another chance to find his best tennis, eyeing a record seventh crown under the Florida sun.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have landed in the same half of the draw and could clash in a potential semifinal.
