Nick Kyrgios reveals what he said to Andy Murray before Novak Djokovic’s match in Miami against Rinky Hijikata

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Novak Djokovic returned to winning ways at the Miami Open having struggled for form over recent months.

The 24-time Major champion began his 2025 campaign in fine form, as Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Retiring with an injury against Alexander Zverev in the last four, the Serb then lost his next two matches, to Matteo Berrettini in Qatar, and Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells.

Returning to action at the Miami Open, Djokovic was desperate to put an end to his losing streak as he came up against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.

Djokovic did so in straight sets, as one of his ATP Tour rivals now reveals what he told the Serb’s coach before the match.

Nick Kyrgios told Andy Murray to advise Novak Djokovic to ‘redirect the backhand’ before Miami Open win

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios took to X during Djokovic’s win over Hijikata to reveal what he told Andy Murray recently.

“I told Andy [Murray] before the match he has to get back to redirecting that backhand man,” he said.

Kyrgios was replying to a video of a ‘trademark’ Djokovic backhand during the first set, which was hit with pinpoint accuracy.

Djokovic was excellent throughout his opening-round win in Miami, dominating his Australian opponent, 6-0, 7-6.

The 37-year-old had made visible improvements from his two previous defeats on the ATP Tour, serving and returning at a level fans have come to expect.

It remains to be seen if Djokovic can carry the momentum through to the third round, where he’ll take on an opponent he’s never played before.

Who is Camilo Ugo Carabelli? Novak Djokovic’s third-round opponent at the Miami Open

Next up for the Serb is Camilo Ugo Carabelli, who has taken an unconventional route to the last 32 in Miami, re-entering the tournament as a Lucky Loser.

• 2025 Miami Open qualifying 1R – Camilo Ugo Carabelli beat Mitchell Krueger, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
• 2025 Miami Open qualifying 2R – Camilo Ugo Carabelli lost to Ethan Quinn, 6-7, 6-3, 2-6
• 2025 Miami Open 1R – Camilo Ugo Carabelli beat Brandon Holt, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4
• 2025 Miami Open 2R – Camilo Ugo Carabelli beat Alex Michelsen, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3

Forcing a decider in all four of his matches, no player has played more sets (12) than Ugo Carabelli at the 2025 Miami Open.

The Argentine has already enjoyed success as a Lucky Loser in 2025, reaching the semi-finals of the Rio Open having lost in qualifying.

In doing so, Ugo Carabelli became just the eighth player to reach the last four of an ATP 500 tournament as a Lucky Loser, narrowly losing out to Sebastian Baez in three sets.

Now ranked 65th in the world, Ugo Carabelli is enjoying the best year of his career and has remarkably only suffered tour-level defeats against two players in 2025.

Baez and Learner Tien were both knocked out of the Miami Open in the first round, as Ugo Carabelli will have been glad to avoid his fellow Argentine in the Sunshine State.

A test against Djokovic will be tough, however, as the 25-year-old will need to produce the first top-ten win of his career if he wants to secure his spot in the last 16.

Ugo Carabelli would be wise not to look at Djokovic’s third-round record in Miami before the match, as the Serb has won all nine of his matches at the stage since making his debut at the event in 2006.

Only time will tell if Ugo Carabelli can pull off the upset of his life when he takes on Djokovic in the third round of the Miami Open on Sunday, March 23.