“I know I still have it” declares Djokovic ahead of Miami Open opener

Novak Djokovic made a telling statement on his mindset heading into his first match at the Miami Open this Friday, declaring that he knows he “still has it” despite his recent run of form.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is on a three-match losing streak, his first in over seven years. It has been seven months since Djokovic won a title (the Paris Olympics) and a year and a half since his last major title.

But the 37-year-old is still motivated to win big titles and is confident he will find his best level soon.

“I’m in a pursuit to find that desired level of tennis,” Djokovic said on Thursday in Miami. “I haven’t played my best or even close to my best in Indian Wells and Doha. After I retired in my semi-final in Australia. I haven’t been able to find that quality of tennis that ‘ve been looking for.

“I’ve been working hard, giving it my all on the practice court. Eventually it’s going to come, I know that, all through the year. I played great in Australia, I thought I had a pretty good shot at the title in Melbourne. Unfortunate for me that it ended the way it ended.

“But, nevertheless, it’s still encouraging for me to experience that I am able to play the way that I did in Australia. I’m still able to win against the likes of Alcaraz. That’s probably the biggest reason why I keep pushing myself, motivating myself. Because I know I still have it in my legs, in my hands, in my arms.

“I still have that tennis level that can put me in the best position to win the biggest titles in sport.”

Djokovic opens his Miami Open campaign on Friday against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.

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