“Things are not as clear in your head,” Alex Corretja suggests players now have more belief that they can beat Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has lost two straight opening matches, against Matteo Berrettini in Qatar and then to Botic van de Zandschulp in Indian Wells.
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Novak Djokovic and Alex Corretja (X/Sport World News)
Novak Djokovic has struggled with form in tour-level tournaments since the start of 2024. The former World No.1 has not been the same player he was in 2023 when he claimed three of the four Grand Slams. In the wake of this, former World No.2 Alex Corretja has suggested that other players in the men’s circuit have begun to believe that they can beat Djokovic.
Djokovic started the 2025 season by reaching the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International but lost to eventual runners-up Reilly Opelka. The 37-year-old put in his best performance in a long while at the Australian Open and was impressive in his win against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
However, he suffered a hamstring injury which forced him to retire from his semifinals showdown against Alexander Zverev. The World No.5 has since lost his two opening matches, first to Matteo Berrettini in Qatar and then to Botic van de Zandschulp in Indian Wells. This has raised a lot of concerns among fans of the sport.
Spanish legend Alex Corretja weighed in on the concerns in a recent conversation. The former World No.2 revealed that Djokovic’s struggle on the court has made other players have more belief that they can beat him.
You feel like you’re practicing 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. Then, 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.
Alex Corretja said via TNT Sports
Djokovic now has a tough task in his hands as he has to bounce back at the Miami Open. He’s playing at the event for the first time since 2019. Also, he’s set to face Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the tournament.
Alex Corretja gives Novak Djokovic candid advice on how to end his struggles on the court
Ahead of the 2025 season, Novak Djokovic committed that he is aiming to feature in more tournaments. The 37-year-old played in only Masters and Grand Slam tournaments last season but that has changed this year. However, Alex Corretja believes that the Serbian needs to commit to more tournaments as that’s the only solution for his run of poor form.
I think the solution is to play only the tournaments that you really feel like playing, and give your 100 per cent there. 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.
Rinky Hijikata said
Djokovic has played in two ATP 500 tournament this season, something he didn’t do last year. The World No.5 has committed to playing more this year but he also understands that he doesn’t have the same energy as when he was young.
Novak Djokovic awaits a likely meeting with Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of Miami
Novak Djokovic is the fourth seed in the 2025 Miami Open draw. The former World No.1 was handed a difficult draw at the tournament. He was handed a first round bye in the event, so he will open his account in the second round against Rinky Hijikata. If Djokovic defeats the Australian, he will face American Alex Michelsen in the next round.
Felix Auger-Aliassime or Lorenzo Musetti awaits Djokovic in the fourth round as he progresses to that stage. In the quarter-finals, the Serbian will likely face Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas. A win in the last eight will see him play against Carlos Alcaraz, a rematch of the Australian Open quarter-final.
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