Novak Djokovic is back in form after reaching the Miami Open final without dropping a set.
Following his retirement from the Australian Open semi-finals due to injury, the 37-year-old suffered opening round defeats in Qatar and Indian Wells.
But since arriving in Florida, Djokovic has been performing more like the player that has won 99 ATP titles.
He featured in Sunday’s final for a chance to win a historic 100th championship, and Novak Djokovic made it there following a comprehensive semi-final victory.
Novak Djokovic was surprised by his Miami Open semi-final performance
Novak Djokovic took on Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the Miami Open final.
The Bulgarian has only defeated the former World number one once in his career, and that remained the case in Miami.
Djokovic produced a flawless serving performance as he made 87% of his first serves and won 79% of those points as Djokovic cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 win on Friday.
Post-match Djokovic, who committed just five unforced errors in his semi-final, shared what he liked most about his performance.
“I thought I wouldn’t beat the percentage of the first serves in from the last match – now I know how it feels to be John Isner, Karlovic and Opelka and these guys!
“It makes life easier on the court. A couple of tight games in the last part of the match, 4-2, 30-30 he missed a couple of forehands and then I found some really good serves with new balls in the last game.
“But overall tricky conditions today, very swirly, the wind was not consistent so it was not easy to find the control of the ball but I haven’t dropped a set and I am feeling probably as good as I have felt since the Olympics last year.”
Novak Djokovic says his serve has been his best shot at the 2025 Miami Open
Djokovic has been imperious on serve throughout the Miami Open and it has been the foundation for his excellent displays so far.
The fourth seed has won at least 75% of his first serve points in each match, and his ground strokes have looked incredibly solid.
The serve has been one of Djokovic’s most improved shots throughout his career, and he thinks it has been his best and most effective shot at the Miami Open.
“My best shot this tournament is first serve without a doubt. You can’t beat 80+% in consecutive matches. I am returning decently as well,” Djokovic explained.
“When you play someone like Korda yesterday or Grigor who stays close to the line and chips, slices and changes the rhythm. You can’t have to pick the right shot, not just go for broke every point.
“So I tried to make him play in these conditions because I know he is a clean hitter and likes his strike zone to be very consistent.
“I knew he would probably struggle if I made him play an extra shot, he struggled much more with the first serve than I did. I haven’t paid attention to my first serve percentage but I have seen that I was making it.”
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