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‘As good as one can feel’ – Century in sight as Novak Djokovic passes Roger Federer with landmark Masters victory
Stop if you’ve heard this one before. Novak Djokovic has made history. Djokovic let out a primal scream after his quarterfinal victory over Sebastian Korda With his 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open, the 37-year-old became the oldest player reach an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. The man he overtook to break the record? Roger Federer. Djokovic has done it at 37 years and ten months, while Federer did it at 37 years and seven months. After securing match point, Djokovic let out a primal scream to put an exclamation point on his victory. He looked towards his coach, Andy Murray, and they both screamed at each other in celebration. Two big screams that felt bigger than just securing the win. Many critics had their doubts that the two long-time rivals would be able to co-exist on the same team, however the partnership has proved to be fruitful in the early going. Murray retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Djokovic would go on to announce the three-time Grand Slam winner as his coach in late November. “We played each other since we were boys. 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits,” Djokovic said. The 37-year-old made history under the Florida sun on Thursday afternoonGetty Djokovic and Murray have been working together for the last four monthsGetty Murray and Djokovic competed against one another for decadesGetty “We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers. “I thought our story may be over. It turns out, it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.” Murray is now fired up to see Djokovic win his matches, as he coaches the 24-time Grand Slam winner. Times have changed. Djokovic is now two wins away from his seventh Miami Open title – that is tied (men’s) for most with Andre Agassi, Serena Williams has the most overall, with eight. The Serb is also one win away from 100 career ATP titles and he does so on the back of a near fautless serving display, making 83% of his serves on Thursday night. “As good as one can feel about his serve,” Djokovic said after the game. “I’ve been serving really well, especially today and I needed it because Sebastian in the second set was just making me run and he was playing really well from the back of the court, maybe not making as many errors like in the first set.” Djokovic will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinal on Friday, while teenager Jakub Mensik will meet Taylor Fritz in the other semifinal. It is 18 years since Djokovic won his first Miami Open title, and it nine years since the former world number one lifted the trophy in South Florida. He did so when Murray was in the field and was beaten by Dimitrov in round three – not the Scot will be in the box, while Djokovic and the Bulgarian chase a place in the final.
Stop if you’ve heard this one before.
Novak Djokovic has made history.
With his 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open, the 37-year-old became the oldest player reach an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal.
The man he overtook to break the record?
Djokovic has done it at 37 years and ten months, while Federer did it at 37 years and seven months.
After securing match point, Djokovic let out a primal scream to put an exclamation point on his victory.
He looked towards his coach, Andy Murray, and they both screamed at each other in celebration.
Two big screams that felt bigger than just securing the win.
Many critics had their doubts that the two long-time rivals would be able to co-exist on the same team, however the partnership has proved to be fruitful in the early going.
Murray retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Djokovic would go on to announce the three-time Grand Slam winner as his coach in late November.
“We played each other since we were boys. 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits,” Djokovic said.
“We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers.
“I thought our story may be over. It turns out, it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”
Murray is now fired up to see Djokovic win his matches, as he coaches the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
Times have changed.
Djokovic is now two wins away from his seventh Miami Open title – that is tied (men’s) for most with Andre Agassi, Serena Williams has the most overall, with eight.
The Serb is also one win away from 100 career ATP titles and he does so on the back of a near fautless serving display, making 83% of his serves on Thursday night.
“As good as one can feel about his serve,” Djokovic said after the game.
“I’ve been serving really well, especially today and I needed it because Sebastian in the second set was just making me run and he was playing really well from the back of the court, maybe not making as many errors like in the first set.”
Djokovic will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinal on Friday, while teenager Jakub Mensik will meet Taylor Fritz in the other semifinal.
It is 18 years since Djokovic won his first Miami Open title, and it nine years since the former world number one lifted the trophy in South Florida.
He did so when Murray was in the field and was beaten by Dimitrov in round three – not the Scot will be in the box, while Djokovic and the Bulgarian chase a place in the final.
