Djokovic at ATP Miami: controversy, causes and the game with Robert Kennedy Jr. In the field it is fragile, Musetti can beat him

So the same as itself, but also so different. Novak Djokovic arrives at the challenge against Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16 of Miami behaving like Nole, but also showing new sides blunched by age and time that passes: less killer soincts, greater fragility, more difficulties in getting rid of the opponents. Translated: the Serbian speaks of « game after game » as the goal of the career, without rankings of the ranking. Recent results cannot be ignored: Djokovic, at almost 38 years old (will turn them on May 22)must sweat every game. If there is a time when Nole can be beaten, that’s just that.

Musetti knows it well and believes it. Also because in his past there is already a success against Djokovic, two years ago in Montecarlo. Between Lorenzo and Novak there is a particular rivalry: eight comparisons (7-1 for the Serbian) of which four last year and in prestigious stages such as Roland Garros, Wimbledon (semifinal) e Olympics (also in that semi -final case).

The one faced in 2024 was a more creaking rent than the last few years, but still still able to compete at high levels as shown by the final reached in Wimbledon And Gold in Paris. While now there is a great question on the head of the most winning ever at the Slam level, which beating the Argentine Ugo Carabelli has reached 411 successes in the Masters-1000 exceeding Rafael Nadal and also taking this record, yet another of his career.

There is therefore a new rent, but also the usual rent. Where? Extra-champion, it would be said. Djokovic always speaks, for what he does or says but also for what he does not do. His PTPA, for example: The Player Association founded by the Serbian sued at the ATPbut Nole took the distances in part. «I thought I didn’t have to sign the letter because I want others to go on. I was very active in tennis policy. This is a classic legal case, lawyers against lawyers: there are things I agree with and others with whom they are not. I discovered that perhaps some formulations were quite strong, but I imagine that the legal team knows what it is doing and what kind of terminology it is for obtaining the right effect ». Neither against nor in favor, for a position that only increases the debate.

What is certain is that Djokovic does nothing to hide. In this perspective, how to interpret the photo that portrays him next to Robert Kennedy Jr, secretary of health in the administration of Donald Trump who has never hidden his no Vax positions? Kennedy (son of Robert and nephew of John Fitzgerald) posted the photo on social media by writing: «Novak Djokovic. First in tennis. First in integrity. First in courage. Guess who won this game? ». The controversies that arose are inevitable. But Nole has shown him several times in recent years, he is not afraid of dis-set and dividing himself between field and extra.

Tomorrow it will be time to think about tennis played and try to overcome a museums that comes well to the challenge after the success against Felix Auger-Aliassime, while Djokovic-even if he does not admit it openly-dreams of the number 100 title of the career: this Miami tournament, with many big names that have already greeted and without Jannik Sinner, can be the right opportunity. There is still tennis in the head of rent, even if they have changed. The challenge with Musetti will be an interesting test to see where is Djokovic, intended as a tennis champion.