Novak Djokovic’s lead-up to the Miami Open final against rising star Jakub Mensik was clouded—literally and figuratively—by a noticeable swelling near his right eye, setting social media abuzz with speculation. But while fans and commentators scrambled for answers, his camp was quick to extinguish panic, clarifying that the issue wasn’t serious.
Photos from his practice session revealed visible puffiness, sparking theories about a possible injury. However, according to insiders, the swelling was caused by a common eye condition — a stye, or hordeolum — which develops when an eyelash follicle or oil gland becomes infected, forming a red bump on the edge of the eyelid. Though often painful and occasionally capable of blurring vision if the swelling escalates, Djokovic’s team assured that it posed no real threat to his performance on court.
While the eye issue was minor, it highlights a broader concern for Djokovic — the physical wear and tear that continues to follow him during the twilight of his storied career. After missing the 2024 French Open and also withdrawing from the 2025 Australian Open despite being in title contention at both events, the Serbian legend has openly acknowledged that the physical grind is increasingly becoming a formidable opponent in itself.
“Things are not the same as 10 years ago, 15 years ago,” he admitted last month. “I still try to take care of my body on a daily basis, and it’s more challenging now, no doubt. I still try to do my very best, given the circumstances.”
Despite the mounting physical challenges, Djokovic remains committed to refining his game, although he concedes that at this stage, radical changes are off the table. “I am trying to improve my game, as everybody else. But my game is not going to change now drastically. I’m not going to play serve and volley, maybe every once in a while, but my game is what it is, the core is going to be the same. I’m going to try to adjust depending on the surface that I play on and so forth.”
What has brought some fresh energy to Djokovic’s recent campaign, however, is an unexpected collaboration that’s caught the tennis world’s attention: his budding on-court partnership with none other than Andy Murray — a former rival turned coach. The duo’s alliance has added an intriguing dynamic to Djokovic’s game as they transition from fierce competitors to strategic allies.
“I’m enjoying the relationship with Andy,” Djokovic said with a grin. “I still feel like we are going through the process of getting to know each other on the court in a different way than we have known each other for 25 years.”
While their chemistry is still taking shape, Djokovic was upbeat about the impact Murray has had since joining his team. Reflecting on their time together Down Under, he noted, “So it’s obviously a new role for him. I think we had a great tournament, a great run in Australia, and I like the way I played. It was unfortunate to finish the tournament the way I did, but it was an injury issue.”
More notably, he pointed out that the level of tennis he has played since teaming up with Murray is reminiscent of his best spells. “I think I’ve played maybe the best tennis that I played in quite some time since the Olympics actually. So I definitely [attribute] that to the work that I had with Andy.”
As Djokovic battles to stretch out the final chapters of his glittering career, moments like these — a swollen eyelid here, a surprising coaching switch there — serve as reminders that even legends must adapt, endure, and evolve. And as he continues to chase glory while managing the aches of time, his story remains as compelling as ever.