Boris Becker ‘worried’ about what Novak Djokovic did ‘every night’ in Miami

World No.5 Novak Djokovic has inched closer to his seventh Miami Open title after cruising past Lorenzo Musetti.

Boris Becker ‘worried’ about what Novak Djokovic did ‘every night’ in Miami

Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Sportbible)

Novak Djokovic has finally got back to winning ways as he is into the quarterfinals of an ATP event for the third time this season. Djokovic played probably the best match of the ongoing Miami Open on Tuesday (March 25) when he locked horns with Lorenzo Musetti, beating the Italian with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline to improve their head-to-head record to 8-1.

But despite his performances at Miami Gardens, his former coach and tennis great Boris Becker is concerned about him. The German, who worked with Djokovic from 2013 to 2016, said the Belgrade native had been partying every night before the tournament, saying this could distract him from reaching his goal.

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I’m more worried, I saw Novak every night at a different party. This is not at all Djokovic-like. He was at the 50th birthday of Eva Longoria, and then there was a Lacoste evening with [Juan Martin] Del Potro and Guga [Gustavo] Kuerten.

Boris Becker said on Becker Petkovic podcast (H/T: The Tennis Gazette)

Becker recalled his playing days and said he never won the Miami Open because of the distractions. He failed to reach the quarterfinals in his eight appearances in the ATP Masters 1000 event.

Then he was again somewhere on the road with Grigor Dimitrov. You can see it all on social media. I don’t [remember seeing] that from Novak when he’s at a tournament.

Boris Becker added

Djokovic has been playing the Miami Open for the first time since 2019. He last won the title in 2016 to complete the Sunshine Double for the fourth time.

Boris Becker analyzes Novak Djokovic’s recent struggles

This year, Novak Djokovic lost in the Brisbane International quarterfinals and a hamstring injury forced him to retire mid-match at the Australian Open. He then registered three consecutive defeats as he fell in his first matches in Doha and Indian Wells Masters.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Giovanni Pelazzo)

Former player Andrea Petkovic, who was in the aforementioned podcast with Boris Becker, recalled watching Djokovic and Andy Murray working on the forehand during a practice session in Miami. Petkovic thinks both Djokovic and Murray are “too similar” and this could lead to overanalyses of techniques. Becker too is of the same opinion and the reason why Djokovic is inconsistent this season is because of his age.

That’s a very good point. I also don’t think Novak didn’t win matches this year because of a bad forehand, but simply because the setting wasn’t quite [right] on the court. I don’t think you can seriously change the forehand at 38.

Boris Becker said on Becker Petkovic podcast

Djokovic struggled throughout the 2024 season, winning just the Olympic gold medal. Tour-level singles titles eluded him since the 2023 ATP Finals. Nole, however, had come close to his 25th Major at Wimbledon last year, for he reached the final but was no match for Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic three wins away from 100th ATP title

Djokovic will continue his hunt for his 100th ATP title in the Miami Open. If he wins the tournament, he will become the third player in the history of men’s tennis with 100 ATP titles, following Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. His quarterfinal opponent is Sebastian Korda, who got the better of Gael Monfils in three sets in the previous round.

Novak Djokovic (5)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

If Djokovic reaches the final and wins the title, it will be his 41st Masters 1000 trophy. Djokovic hasn’t yet dropped a set in the tournament and even handed a bagel to his second-round opponent Rinky Hijikata.

The six-time Miami Open champion will lock horns with home favorite Korda for the second time in his career and is 1-0 in their head-to-head encounters. In their previous meeting, Djokovic had to fight hard to clinch the 2023 Adelaide Internation. If Djokovic reaches the final, he could set up a blockbuster match against World No.2 Alexander Zverev.