"Eventually it’s going to come": Novak Djokovic reveals mindset helped him in securing first win since Australian Open 2025

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has revealed that having detailed discussions behind the scenes has helped him secure an important win at the Miami Open. The 37-year-old, who is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, has been going through a rough patch.

Before appearing at the Miami Open, Djokovic played in three competitions, where, on two occasions, he was knocked out on two occasions after losing in the first round. The Belgrade-born star, however, secured a win in Miami in the round of 64 after beating Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, 6-0, 7-6.

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Talking after the match to Sky Sports, Djokovic, who has not won an ATP tournament or a Grand Slam since the start of 2024, revealed that backstage discussion with his team helped him have a stronger mentality. The former world number one also highlighted that he and his coach, former world number one Andy Murray, agreed that the focus should be on the process as the results will eventually come.

“Well, I was spending a lot of time actually with my team and training and really talking about the game and what needs to be done, not only from a tennis perspective but also mentally and emotionally,” he said. “What are the things that we need to work on on the practice court? And when the match arrives, what are the cues, what to focus on basically. Because I obviously started doubting my game a little bit more after Australia, I didn't have a great match, I did lose to Berrettini in Doha encounter, he was playing great. Then a really poor performance in Indian Wells so I had plenty of time, two weeks almost and I worked on my game. Andy and I talked about the game and obviously we both agreed that if I continue doing the right things and if I play good quality tennis in practice sessions, eventually it’s going to come. So I really believe in the process and I'm really glad that I started off the Miami Open the way I did today so hopefully I can keep going.”

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Djokovic will next face Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the round of 32. The 25-year-old cemented his spot in the third round of the Miami Open after beating America’s Alex Michelsen with a score of 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.

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