By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, March 21, 2025
In his first Miami match since 2019, Novak Djokovic defeated Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6(1) to snap a three-match losing streak and hit his way into history.
Photo credit: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium
Slashing a match-ending ace, Novak Djokovic struck a winning comeback chord—and celebrated with violin solo.
In his first Miami Open match since 2019, Djokovic delivered virtuoso opening set downing Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6(1) to snap a three-match losing streak and hit his way into history.
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Six-time Miami champion Djokovic scored his 410th ATP Masters 1000 match win—equaling rival Rafael Nadal’s all-time record.
After getting back in the winning tune, Djokovic stood on court and mimed playing the violin as festive fans shot victory photos.
"It was a perfect start of the tournament," Djokovic told the media in Miami. "I was excited to get out on the court and hopefully perform better than I have in the last couple of tournaments.
"You know, I had two weeks since the last match that I played in Indian Wells, so I had plenty of time to work on my game. I think that has positively reflected on my game today, particularly for set and a half, almost flawless tennis. I'm very pleased with the way I felt and played on the court."
On this day, Djokovic orchestrated an efficient win—and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the process of playing.
Continuing his quest for a 100th career championship, Djokovic scored his first match win since he conquered Carlos Alcaraz in a four-set Australian Open quarterfinal last January.
The 37-year–old Serbian superstar greeted Hard Rock Stadium’s service box like a welcome mat.
Setting the tone on serve, Djokovic served 80 percent, won 33 of 39 first-serve points, smacked nine aces against one double fault and did not drop serve.
Whatever work Djokovic and coach Andy Murray have been doing on the practice court clearly paid off in today’s comeback conquest.
“I think I was almost flawless for a set or a set and half, to be honest,” Djokovic told Tennis Channel analyst Prakash Amritraj afterward. “When we changed the balls at seven games in the beginning of the second it was quite a strange feeling.
“He started making his first serves more, he was mixing it up, serving and volleying behind, being quite aggressive on the backhand side with some backhands down the line. I struggled to break his serve. I think I held my serve very well.
“I think I had a great serving performance overall… After a mini crisis of not playing my best in Doha and Indian Wells I really wanted to start off well in the Miami Open.
“It’s only a first match but I like the way I feel.”
Given Djokovic's six-year sabbatical from Miami and the fact he had only endured one four-match losing streak in his entire storied career (back at the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup Madrid), you could understand the Serbian's sense of urgency today.
The sharp serve and the fact Djokovic patiently constructed points with purpose were both positive signs.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic will face Camilo Ugo Carabelli in round three.
The Argentinean lucky loser upset American Alex Michelsen 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3, withstanding 10 aces from the No. 32 seed.
Tennis is a game of comings and goings.
Before Djokovic posted a comeback win, fellow former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev headed to an early exit.
Sturdy Spaniard Jaume Munar surprised the seventh-seeded Medvedev 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes.
The 2023 Miami Open champion Medvedev, who was bothered by a sore back, suffered his first opening round exit from Hard Rock Stadium in his seventh appearance at the event.
“Yeah, I was not 100% physically, but I tried my best to get into the match,” Medvedev said. “Every day was better and better. I had some problems after Indian Wells. Can happen.
“He played well, so that's why, you know, I wouldn't go to the match if I would kind of definitely know I'm not ready to win. I had some practices. Yesterday I almost, like, won the set against someone pretty strong.
"I tried my best. I was not 100%, but he played a very good match to use it and to win convincingly.”
Former Miami Open finalist Casper Ruud ripped nine aces rallying past Miomir Kecmanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours, five minutes.
No. 5-seeded Ruud will play either 30th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo or French finesse artist Corentin Moutet next.