Djokovic on his incredible serving level in Miami : “I know how it feels like to be Isner or Opelka”
Novak Djokovic’s run to the Miami final has been highlighted by his serve, which was once again firing on all cylinders during a semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov.
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Novak Djokovic’s serve has always been good. It is simply underrated since it is often overshadowed by the other amazing parts of his game.
At the 2025 Miami Open, however, everyone is taking notice — especially his opponents at the other end of it. And Djokovic’s serve hasn’t simply been good; it has been sensational.
In his opening match, the 37-year-old served at 80 percent and struck nine aces compared to just one double-fault without getting broken a single time while beating Mackenzie McDonald 6-0, 7-6 (1). In the third round those numbers were 77 percent, 10 aces, two double-faults, one break in a 6-1, 7-6 (1) defeat of Camilo Ugo Carabelli. In the fourth round, a 6-2, 6-2 rout of Lorenzo Musetti: 70 percent, one ace, one double-fault, one break. Quarterfinals (6-3, 7-6 (4) over Sebastian Korda): 83 percent, 11 aces, zero double-faults, one break. Semifinals (6-2, 6-3 over Grigor Dimitrov): 87 percent, five aces, one double-fault, one break.
Djokovic’s serve — especially from a percentage standpoint — was especially incredible against Dimitrov on Friday afternoon. The Serb was asked about it afterward during his post-match press conference.
“I’ve been serving pretty well this year,” Djokovic noted. “Maybe some other elements in my game haven’t been working particularly well. But serve was solid. I mean, this is whole different level of serving, obviously. I did not expect myself to top the serving performance of last match, where I had 83 percent, and I had 87 percent today. I missed I think five or six serves in the whole match. So that’s really amazing, amazing standard, really high standard.
“It helps I think the court is playing pretty quick here, comparing to… Well, I haven’t played six years. Six years ago I remember it was much slower. So it does really work great when you have a big serve and you get the free points off that first serve.
I mean, at times in last couple matches…I must say was joking with Tim Henman in the post-match interview that now I know how it feels like to be (John) Isner or (Reilly) Opelka, just make most of your first serves. Maybe not as many aces as these guys, but…yeah, it does help tremendously. It just releases that unnecessary pressure from all the other shots in your game. Then you can kind of put more pressure on the return games on your opponent.”
Djokovic’s next opponent in Sunday’s final will be either Taylor Fritz or Jakub Mensik. They can only hope his serve cools off in a big way.
