Novak Djokovic said he is feeling just fine ahead of his opening match at the BNP Paribas Open after a video emerged of the 24-time Grand Slam winner limping at Doha airport last month. 

The video was taken following Djokovic’s loss to Matteo Berrettini in the city, leading some to wonder if it was related to the hamstring injury he suffered at the Australian Open. 

It wasn’t, the Serb confirmed as he met with reporters at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as part of his pre-tournament duties. 

“The injury is behind me. I mean, hopefully,” he began. “I haven't felt any problems prior to Doha, end of Doha tournament I felt completely fine, as I have felt in the lead-up to Indian Wells, my training weeks.

It was really, yeah, awkward to see that video, because I arrived to the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out, because it was very early, I think, 4 or 5 a.m.

I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle. That's all. It was just a hit. It was nothing else. But then people connected it to the injury and thought it was something escalating and coming back.”

Something, or rather someone, that did come back is Andy Murray as Djokovic’s high profile coach. The three-time Grand Slam winner, who only retired last year, joined Djokovic on site at the Australian Open. 

When the year’s first major ended — Djokovic retired against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals — he said he’d chat with Murray to see what would happen next.  They were both keen to keep the partnership going.  Murray will also be alongside Djokovic at the Miami Open later this month and most of the clay court swing. 

“Hopefully Wimbledon, as well,” said Djokovic. “I'm enjoying the relationship with Andy. 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.

I think we had a great tournament, great run in Australia. I like the way I played. It was unfortunate to finish the tournament the way I did it, but it was an injury issue. 

But in terms of the game, I think I played, yeah, maybe the best tennis that I played in quite some time. Since the Olympics, actually,” said Djokovic, referring to last year in Paris when he won his long sought after gold medal.  "So I definitely attribute that to the work I had with Andy.”

Last year, lucky loser Luca Nardi upset Djokovic in the third round in Indian Wells, then he skipped Miami. 

The 37-year-old last played both legs of the Sunshine Double in 2019. 

“I haven't done really well in Indian Wells and Miami ever since 2016 or '17, and I struggled to find my best game here,” said Djokovic. “I'm not going to get younger, I know that. But I definitely look to go deep in the tournament. 

“I've done, I think, the right things in preparation. I've been playing some good tennis these days. So let's see. Let's see how far I can go.”

Djokovic plays another lucky loser on Saturday, Botic van de Zandschulp. Van de Zandschulp is no stranger to knocking off Grand Slam winners, beating Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal last year. He tries to become the second Dutchman in consecutive days to oust a big name, after Tallon Griekspoor beat top-seed Zverev.