Miami Open 2025: Novak Djokovic turns into oldest Masters 1000 finalist, on verge of one centesimal profession title

Novak Djokovic continued to show that age is only a quantity by reaching the ultimate of the Miami Open with a victory over Grigor Dimitrov. Djokovic outclassed Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on the Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida to enhance his document in opposition to the Bulgarian to 13-1.

The Serbian celebrity thus grew to become the oldest participant to succeed in the ultimate of an Masters 1000 occasion at 37 years and 10 months of age. Friday’s conflict between Djokovic and 33-year-old Dimitrov was additionally the oldest in Masters 1000 historical past with a mixed age of 70. In the end, it was the older of the 2 gamers who prevailed within the semi-final conflict that lasted 69 minutes.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who had received his maiden Olympic gold medal in Paris final yr, additionally finds himself one win away from finishing a century of profession singles titles. Ought to he defeat unseeded Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, who is almost half his age, within the closing on Sunday, he’ll develop into solely the third man in tennis historical past after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to win 100 titles.

The conductor brings the orchestra to life 🎻

Relentless @DjokerNole advances right into a record-extending sixtieth Masters 1000 closing!@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/R3kKuooxCn

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025

A victory on Sunday can even take Djokovic’s Miami title rely to seven, which is able to take him previous Andre Agassi’s six titles and make him essentially the most profitable male participant within the historical past of the event.

Djokovic in the meantime, bounced again in fashion after getting damaged on his first service sport to register his tenth straight victory over Dimitrov and keep his document of by no means shedding a Miami Open semi-final. And as was the case in his
6-3, 7-6(7-4) conquer USA’s Sebastian Korda, it was his robust serve sport that was on the coronary heart of his victory.

“It was very windy at present, very tough to regulate the ball, altering course on a regular basis however I had good serves and held my nerves,” Djokovic stated.

“The serve was once more the spotlight of the match for me. I believe it was 84% final sport and I assumed that will be tough to beat that however at present it was 87% so I don’t know what to say?

“Hopefully I can proceed in the identical trend as a result of that positively make my life simpler.”

From one GOAT to a different: Messi cheers for Djokovic in Miami

Watching Djokovic inch nearer to his one centesimal title from the stands on Friday was Argentine soccer celebrity Lionel Messi, who presently performs for Inter Miami in Main League Soccer, and his spouse Antonela Roccuzzo.

“It was an enormous honour to have King Leo within the stands. It was the primary time I’ve performed in entrance of him,” Djokovic added.

Only a pair of 37-year-old MEGA LEGENDS 🤩@DjokerNole talks about what it meant to have @TeamMessi at #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/y9tvXy76PP

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 28, 2025

Mensik, in the meantime, overcame a stiff problem from American Taylor Fritz within the different semi-final, the 19-year-old beating the world No 4 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) to succeed in his maiden Masters 1000 closing.

He has confronted Djokovic solely as soon as earlier than, having misplaced to him in Shanghai.