Novak Djokovic Ties Rafael Nadal’s Historic Record – But He’s Not Done Yet!

Novak Djokovic has officially matched Rafael Nadal’s record for the most wins in ATP Masters 1000 history after a dominant performance against Rinky Hijikata. In the early hours of March 22, Djokovic showcased his trademark precision and resilience to secure a 6-0, 7-6(1) victory, breaking his recent losing streak and reaffirming his place among the sport’s greatest players.

Djokovic, a six-time Miami Open champion, was in peak form as he dismantled Hijikata in the first set. With this latest win, he now shares the record with Nadal for the most career Masters 1000 wins, standing at 410 victories. Since the ATP Masters 1000 series was introduced in 1990, only a handful of players have been able to dominate this level of competition.

Djokovic’s Tactical Brilliance Shines in Miami

After his victory, Djokovic reflected on his performance, emphasizing the importance of strategy and preparation.

“I played really well, at a very high level from the beginning. Tactically, I knew exactly what I wanted to execute. I had already faced him in my season opener in Brisbane, so I reviewed that match and learned from it,” Djokovic stated in his post-match interview.

The Miami Open is a special tournament for Djokovic, and this year, he is determined to make history. If he wins, he will surpass Andre Agassi to claim the record for the most Miami Open titles in history. Djokovic will now face Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the third round after the Argentine staged a comeback against Alex Michelsen, winning 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3.

The King Returns to Miami After Six Years

This year marks Djokovic’s first appearance in Miami since 2019, and his return comes with yet another impressive milestone—his 501st match in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

The 37-year-old Serbian superstar arrived at the Miami Open after enduring a rare three-match losing streak. His last victory before this tournament came in early January. Since then, he suffered setbacks at the Australian Open, Doha, and Indian Wells, leading some to speculate whether his dominance was starting to fade.

However, his Miami comeback sends a clear message: Djokovic is far from finished.

A Statement Performance After Recent Struggles

Djokovic entered the match against Hijikata with something to prove. His early-round exit at Indian Wells saw him make 37 unforced errors, an uncharacteristic display from one of the sport’s most disciplined competitors. But against Hijikata, the Serbian legend was sharp and focused, winning the first set in just 27 minutes and giving away only three points in the opening game.

Djokovic acknowledged his recent struggles, stating, “I know the statistics and numbers were not in my favor after my Australian Open withdrawal. It took me longer than expected to fully recover from my injury and find my rhythm again.”

He continued, “Over the past 7-10 days, I have had some of my best training sessions, and I felt great stepping onto the court today. It is always special to play in Miami, a city where I have had so many amazing moments in my career.”

Hijikata Puts Up a Fight in the Second Set

Despite a one-sided first set, Hijikata showed resilience in the second, managing to push the match into a tiebreaker. The 86th-ranked Australian successfully defended five break points, including a crucial triple break point in the sixth game, preventing Djokovic from running away with the match.

However, the former world number one responded with ice-cold composure. Once the tiebreaker began, Djokovic won six consecutive points, shutting down any hope of an upset and sealing victory in just 80 minutes. With this win, he extended his head-to-head record against Hijikata to 2-0.

Djokovic Eyes More Records at the Miami Open

With this commanding start, Djokovic has set his sights on adding another Masters 1000 title to his incredible collection.

Currently, he holds the records for:

• Most ATP Masters 1000 titles (40)

• Most ATP Masters 1000 finals (59)

• Most ATP Masters 1000 semifinals (78)

A victory in Miami would further solidify his place as the greatest Masters 1000 player of all time.

A Potential Clash with Carlos Alcaraz?

One of the most anticipated scenarios in this year’s Miami Open is a potential semifinal showdown between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. As the fourth seed, Djokovic is on course to meet the Spanish sensation, who has been tipped as the future of men’s tennis.

Tennis fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting a Djokovic vs. Alcaraz showdown, as both players have developed a fascinating rivalry over the past two seasons. If Djokovic continues his winning ways, this blockbuster match could take place in just a few days.

Novak Djokovic’s Unstoppable Legacy

At 37, Djokovic continues to defy age and expectations. His ability to adapt, evolve, and dominate remains unparalleled. With every match, he writes a new chapter in the history of tennis, and his hunger for more records, more titles, and more victories shows no signs of slowing down.

The Miami Open is just the beginning of another potentially historic season for Djokovic. Will he surpass Nadal’s record and stand alone as the greatest Masters 1000 player in history? If his performance against Hijikata is any indication, the answer might come sooner rather than later.