‘Novak Djokovic will always be a contender in any tournament until he retires’
Former world No 2 Alex Corretja thinks Novak Djokovic “needs to start winning some matches” to get more enjoyment from competing on the tour.
Djokovic is enduring a difficult run having lost three consecutive matches since progressing to the last four of the Australian Open in January.
After injury forced him to retire from his semi-final with Alexander Zverev in Melbourne, Djokovic fell to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open and Botic van de Zandschulp at the Indian Wells Masters.
This is Djokovic’s longest winless run since 2018, when he was beaten in three consecutive matches across the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami amid struggles with an elbow injury.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion and current world No 5 will look to snap the streak at the Miami Open, where he is making his first appearance since 2019.
The 37-year-old Serb won his most recent title in August at the Paris Olympics — his only tournament victory in 2024.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Corretja stressed the importance of Djokovic having a clear purpose in order to maintain his motivation.
“I think only Novak knows exactly what he feels inside his heart,” the two-time French Open finalist said.
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“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?
“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 has won six Miami Open titles — a record he shares with Andre Agassi — with his most recent coming in 2016.
