Novak Djokovic proves his good health in doubles showing in Miami

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Something unusual happened on Thursday at the Miami Open: Novak Djokovic played doubles.

While that was a surprise, it was to the surprise of no one that fans were thrilled to get a glimpse of the world No. 12. They flocked to Grandstand, getting a closer look at the 12-time Grand Slam champion than they ever likely had before.

One thing that was apparent for everyone in the buzzing crowd: Djokovic is not a doubles player. But this wasn’t about the six-time Miami Open champion trying to win the doubles crown. His participation in the draw with Viktor Troicki told the world and his opponents one major message: he’s healthy.

Before the start of the tournament, he told pressthat he is finally pain-free after two years. Though the Serb practiced with a sleeve on his right arm, he didn’t compete with it.

"I am not yet at my best," Djokovic said ahead of the tournament. "I have had to modify a lot things in my game. When I made this intervention, it's obviously pretty invasive. But right now, I'm not playing with the pain which is the important thing."

Troicki was a natural choice for Djokovic’s wish for extra match play. They’ve shared a court before including Djokovic’s last doubles event in Monte Carlo last year. Djokovic has won one career doubles title (in 2010 at Queen’s Club with Jonathan Erlich), but holds a career losing record (45-61).

Since nothing was usual about the players on the court, all bets were off when the match began. Facing Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya, the Serbs came out flat, falling into a two-break hole, 4-1. Instead of letting the set go, Djokovic and Troicki clawed back, buoyed by a packed Grandstand that begged for drama. They evened out the match with two breaks back, and then broke once again for the set, 6-4 (with five breaks of serve in one men’s double set).

Most noticeable was Djokovic's still-superb return skills. The 30-year-old also wasn’t having any trouble from the baseline, but he was picked on at the net. The Serbs did more than hold their own, and had chances when they were up 5-4 in the second. But Djokovic continued to be a target at the net, and despite his superior singles court coverage, he’s not used to covering a doubles court. Veteran doubles specialists Mektic and Peya sensed that from the start and took full advantage.

While Djokovic and Troicki would lose the deciding tiebreaker fairly quickly, the 4-6, 7-5, 10-3 result doesn’t really matter in the long run. The 83 minutes on court was great prep for a healthy Djokovic’s singles match on Friday against Benoit Paire.

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