Being at the Miami Open presented by Itau is a happy homecoming of sorts for Kei Nishikori. The World No. 6, who has trained in Bradenton for more than a decade, looked forward to the comforts of playing in Florida again despite coming off a career-best quarter-final showing at the BNP Paribas Open (l. to Nadal).

“For me, here is better for my tennis,” he said Tuesday, ahead of the year’s second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. “[In] Indian Wells, [with the high] bounce and a little bit altitude, the ball flies a little more, so I feel a big server has more chance. But here, no altitude. It’s a little bit windy, so it’s tough condition, but I live in Florida too so it’s like home here.”

The 26 year old has been pleased with his form thus far in the season. Mirroring his start to 2015, he enters Miami having reached the quarter-finals or better in four of his five tournament appearances on the season, highlighted by the successful title defence in Memphis. 

“I try to play the same like last year,” he said. “My serve is getting better, improving a lot, so it’s great to see that. Try to be consistent with everything – serve, groundstroke, everything – that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Nishikori achieved his best Miami result in 2014, when he took down Grigor Dimitrov, David Ferrer and Roger Federer in succession before withdrawing with a groin injury prior to his semi-final match against eventual champion Novak Djokovic. When the pair met on court later that year, Nishikori prevailed against the Serbian to reach the US Open final.

The Japanese star has since lost five straight FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings to Djokovic and spoke of the need to take risks in order to have a chance of beating the World No. 1.

“You have to be a little more aggressive when you play Novak,” he said. “He’s very consistent and he doesn’t give you any loose points or any free points, so you have to really work every point and you have to be really focused.”

In order to set a rematch with Djokovic in Miami, both players would need to reach the final. For Nishikori, this could mean defeating World No. 9 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Round of 16 and No. 2 Andy Murray, a two-time Miami champion, in the quarter-finals. Potential semi-final opponents include No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, No. 5 Rafael Nadal, No. 12 and Indian Wells finalist Milos Raonic or No. 13 John Isner, whom Nishikori lost to in the Miami quarter-finals last year.

He awaits the winner between Czech Lukas Rosol and French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert in his opening match.

Milos Raonic has enjoyed one of the best starts to 2016 on the ATP World Tour.

The 6’5” Canadian is 14-2 on the year. He won a title in Brisbane (d. Federer) and reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open (l. to Murray). Last week, at the year’s first ATP World Tour Masters 1000, the BNP Paribas Open, Raonic produced another impressive result by making the final (l. Djokovic).

The 25 year old looks to keep improving this week at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

“I hope I can continue playing like I have in the last few tournaments this year,” Raonic said Tuesday in Miami. “I think my level has improved and I hope I keep that progress going forward.”

Raonic, who bumped up two spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to No. 12, has yet to achieve a breakout result in Miami. His best showing came in 2014 when he reached the quarter-finals (l. to Nadal). Last year, American John Isner defeated Raonic in the fourth round 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 7-6(5).

Raonic’s health will be a key to better results in Miami. A torn adductor affected him against Andy Murray in Australia, and Raonic sat out the entire month of February to rest. He also sought medical treatment after the first set against Djokovic on Sunday. When Raonic was asked on Sunday if it felt like the adductor again, he said, “Feels similar, but not as bad. I don’t think I let it get as bad.”

But he later said he didn’t think any injury affected his effort. “I thought he played much better than I did,” Raonic said of Djokovic. “I struggled again, just like last time, to start the match well, and then he’s the best player in the world at this moment and a good step ahead of everybody.”

A new addition to Raonic’s team has helped his strong start. In January, Raonic brought former World No. 1 Carlos Moya to his team.

“He’s given me a lot of understanding about my tennis,” Raonic said. “He’s also given me a lot of insight on how to go about the process, how to improve, how to get better, what to improve and how to get closer to achieving the goals that I hope to achieve.”

Raonic will receive a first-round bye in Miami. In the second round, he’ll play either #NextGen star Hyeon Chung of South Korea or American Denis Kudla.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres may have discovered Novak Djokovic’s weakness: Smashing his own face in front of a television audience.

Djokovic, who is scheduled to start his Miami Open title defence on Friday, recently stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to talk about his on-court success, his family and his biggest competitors. He and DeGeneres even made time for a little tennis.

The World No. 1 agreed with DeGeneres when she said he’s playing the best tennis of his career.

“Yes, absolutely at the peak of my abilities at the moment… I managed to put many things together in private and professional life so I found that harmony and balance that allows me to use my full potential on the tennis court,” said Djokovic, who is married and has a 17-month-old son, Stefan. “I’m just trying to cherish every moment spent on court.”

DeGeneres asked the Serb to name his biggest competitor. The five-time Miami champion rattled off Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. He also named possible future challengers, including Canadian Milos Raonic and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

“It’s good for sport,” Djokovic said of the younger generation. “Sport needs rivalries, but also sports needs some new generations and new players that are challenging for major titles.”

He and DeGeneres also scheduled a practice.

She said she plans to attend the men’s Wimbledon final in July. Djokovic suggested they hit a couple of balls on the grass, to which DeGeneres jokingly agreed.

Later they tried to smash Djokovic’s face. The two stood in front of a board and tried to hit tennis balls through eight circles wearing Djokovic’s smiles.

“Why is it only my face?” he said.

“Because it’s a game we’re calling smash your face,” DeGeneres said.

“My own face,” Djokovic said.

DeGeneres hit a face on her second attempt and drew cheers from Djokovic and the crowd.

“How can you smash such a beautiful face?” he said.

Djokovic served a ball through a face on his fifth attempt.