Boris Becker is ‘worried’ after Novak Djokovic did something at the Miami Open that he’s never seen before

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Novak Djokovic is searching for his first title of 2025 at the Miami Open.

The Serbian star began his year in fine form, as Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, retiring with an injury against Alexander Zverev.

He struggled for form upon his return from injury, however, as Djokovic lost to Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Qatar Open.

Djokovic was then beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells as he lost three consecutive matches for the first time in seven years.

As the 24-time Major champion looks to return to form in Miami, one ATP legend explains what Djokovic has done recently that ‘worried’ him.

Boris Becker is ‘worried’ after seeing Novak Djokovic partying ahead of the 2025 Miami Open

Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, Boris Becker suggested Djokovic has done something in Miami that ‘worried’ him.

“I’m more worried, I saw Novak [Djokovic] every night at a different party,” he said.

“This is not at all Djokovic-like.

“He was at the 50th birthday of Eva Longoria, and then there was a Lacoste evening with [Juan Martin] Del Potro and Guga [Gustavo] Kuerten.

“Then he was again somewhere on the road with Grigor Dimitrov, you can see it all on social media.

“I don’t [remember seeing] that from Novak when he’s at a tournament.”

Becker then recalled how similar distractions prevented him from reaching his full potential at the Miami Open.

“I’m the first to understand this; that’s why I never won Miami,” he said.

“I was on the road too much in the evening and too little in the morning.

“[I feel] he’s already starting to enjoy this life after his tennis career, all understandable, but [he] may not have the concentration on the tennis court anymore.”

The German struggled for form in Miami throughout his career, failing to reach the quarter-finals in each of his eight visits to the tournament.

• 1999 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 2R to Marat Safin
• 1994 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 3R v Andre Agassi
• 1993 Miami Open – Boris Becker withdrew ahead of 3R v Nicklas Kulti
• 1992 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 4R to Alberto Mancini
• 1991 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 3R to Patrick McEnroe
• 1990 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 3R to Jean-Philippe Fleurian
• 1987 Miami Open – Boris Becker withdrew ahead of 1R v Derrick Rostagno
• 1986 Miami Open – Boris Becker lost in 3R to Milan Srejber

Becker’s co-host, Andrea Petkovic, was interested by what the six-time Slam winner said, as she reflected on Djokovic’s previous successes in the Sunshine State.

“Well, that’s interesting, of course, you know much better because you were at his side when he won these tournaments,” she said.

“He is traditionally always in very, very good shape here. 

“He even won the tournament five or six times, I think, so one of the record holders with Andre Agassi and Roger Federer.

“So basically [it’s] actually a tournament that he likes to play, but that’s very interesting that you say that he doesn’t actually do that otherwise.”

Djokovic currently sits level with Andre Agassi on six Miami Open titles, two ahead of Federer on four.

Andrea Petkovic has noticed a potential issue with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s partnership

Petkovic also identified another potential problem Djokovic faces, having watched the Serb train with his coach Andy Murray recently.

“I watched him on the training ground with Andy Murray, I think they worked for around 15 minutes on the forehand, on the technique,” she said.

“I don’t know exactly what they said, I watched it from afar.

“I had a [sudden] thought, oh no, they are too similar, I think it’s always good to bring the two opposites together so it creates a balance.

“If the players are too similar, so if Andy [Murray] and Novak [Djokovic] both think the same and overanalyse, then it can be too much.”

Becker agreed, as he suggested what might be the true cause of Djokovic’s recent struggles.

“That’s a very good point. I also don’t think Novak didn’t win matches this year because of a bad forehand, but simply because the setting wasn’t quite [right] on the court,” he said.

“I don’t think you can seriously change the forehand at 38.

“That was also a problem for Andy Murray at the end, that he just thought it was the racket or the forehand or the technique and not the fact that he just got a little older, so that’s a good point.”

Djokovic will look to prove age is just a number by becoming the oldest-ever Miami Open champion later this week but will first set his sights on Lorenzo Musetti who he plays in the fourth round on Tuesday, March 25.