Novak Djokovic expresses what was ‘strange’ following the ball change during his opening Miami Open match

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Novak Djokovic expressed what he was struggling with during his first Miami Open match since 2019.

Fans were delighted to see the tournament’s six-time winner compete in Florida once again and he was determined to secure victory.

Djokovic entered the contest on a three-match losing streak and had not won a match since defeating Carlos Alcaraz at January’s Australian Open.

But the Serbian produced a stronger performance against Rinky Hijikata to end his short losing streak.

Novak Djokovic comments on why he struggled after the ball change at the Miami Open

Novak Djokovic looked back to his best when he stormed through the opening set against Hijikata without losing a game and hit just three unforced errors.

But it was during the second set that things became more difficult, as the balls were changed and Djokovic admitted he struggled to adjust.

“When we changed the balls at the beginning of the second set, it was quite a strange feeling,” he told Tennis Channel.

“There was quite a big difference I must say in the ball bounce and the speed of the ball, so I had to adjust.

“He started making his first serves more and he was mixing it up, coming in, serving and volleying, and he was quite aggressive from the backhand side as well as some great down the line shots, and I struggled to break his serve.

“I think I held my serve very well and saved some break points early in the second, but other than that I think I had a great serving performance overall.”

Novak Djokovic ties Rafael Nadal Masters 1000 record at Miami Open

WIth his latest win Djokovic has now 410 matches at Masters 1000 level in his career.

This drew him level with Rafael Nadal, and he will have the chance to break the record when he takes on lucky loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the next round.

This year Djokovic could win a record seventh Miami Open title and a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title, and he is looking forward to producing another solid performance.

“I know that the stats and the metrics have not been that great for me post Australia,” added Djokovic. “Obviously it took me a little bit more time after an injury to really find that groove, find that movement, that rhythm, that striking zone.

“I love the way I was practising actually the last seven to 10 days and had some great, great sessions on this court as well. I’m obviously excited to compete to keep on playing at the highest level when I play this way.

“Obviously it’s always a pleasure when you come back to an amazing city like Miami after six years of absence and I’ve had this many people in the first match, so I’m really, really grateful for their support.”