'Worrying' Novak Djokovic form and potential 'solution' to feel 'dangerous' again at Miami Open ahead of French Open
Published 19/03/2025 at 12:09 GMT
Novak Djokovic is playing the Miami Open this week for the first time since 2019. The 24-time Grand Slam has lost his last three matches in a row and TNT Sports expert Alex Corretja has given his views on Djokovic's form and whether his motivation levels remain as high as in the past. Corretja has also picked out a potential "solution" for Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic
Image credit: Getty Images
Alex Corretja thinks Novak Djokovic’s recent losing run might be approaching the stage of being "a bit worrying" and has questioned whether his motivation levels are a factor.
Djokovic, 37, has lost three matches in a row for the first time since 2018.
He is competing this week at the Miami Open, bidding to win the tournament for a record seventh time and secure his 100th career title.
However, Djokovic has looked far from title-winning form since reaching the Australian Open semi-finals and admitted after defeat to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells that he was "struggling to play on the desired level".
"I think only Novak knows exactly what he feels inside his heart," said TNT Sports expert Corretja.
"I think he really needs to know exactly what he wants because just playing for playing does not make sense. What's the reason? What's the purpose? This is something very important for him. Because otherwise how are you going to motivate yourself and keep pushing yourself?
"One of the most important things, I think, not just in tennis, in life, is to be committed to the things you're doing. So, what's your goal now? What are the things you want to work on to take you to that goal?
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/16/4110184-83341328-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: Draper stuns Alcaraz to reach Indian Wells final
Video credit: SNTV
- Swiatek surprised by 'harsh judgement' after ball boy incident
- Alcaraz struggles with 'weight on young shoulders' - Corretja
"Of course, he deserves all the credit, and until he retires, he will always be a contender in any tournament that he competes in. But definitely, it is something to think about.
"I'm thinking that he needs to start winning some matches to be a bit happier with the fact that he's on tour and playing tournaments."
Djokovic said last year that he had "completed" tennis when he won gold at the Paris Olympics.
However, there are still a few records out there for him to break, most notably the outright record for all-time Grand Slam wins (he is currently level on 24 with Margaret Court) and trying to pass Roger Federer and/or Jimmy Connors for most career titles (Federer has 103, Connors is the all-time leader with 109, and Djokovic has 99).
Reflecting on Djokvoic’s recent form, former world No. 2 Corretja said: "It did happen to me, of course. You feel like you're practising quite well and your level is quite high, and you're playing with players and you feel like you can beat them, but somehow, when you play matches, tournaments, you struggle.
"The good thing for Novak is he's been 100 million times better than me, and he will have more resources in these situations. But it is the same for everyone: somehow, you lose a bit of speed on your movement, you don't hit the ball as hard, or maybe you get a bit late to the ball, or maybe things are not as clear in your head and then you start losing those matches where before, maybe you found a way.
"Once it happens, people start thinking they can beat you, and they go on court thinking 'I'm going to hang in there because he's struggling a little bit', whereas before, maybe they would have given up because they knew that it was just impossible. So it's a combination.
"It's a bit worrying when that happens, but I'm not so sure he's feeling that way yet. If he felt that way, it is a symptom that maybe he's losing a bit of his level of tennis. When you feel like everybody's playing such a great match against you, it is because maybe you're as not great as before.
"So again, always give him the chance and the credit, but he needs to find solutions in order to feel dangerous in the tournament."
Djokovic is playing at the Miami Open for the first time since 2019.
He will then target the clay season as he builds up to his two big goals for the summer - the French Open and Wimbledon.
"I think the solution is to play only the tournaments that you really feel like playing, and give your 100 per cent there," added Corretja.
"Don't save energy for other events that are not worth it for you. Commit to that because it is impossible to keep your momentum for the whole year. So you really need to choose where you want to peak: let's say in the majors, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and to see what you need to do to achieve that and if it means to play here or there beforehand."
Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement