ATP Masters Monte-Carlo: is Novak Djokovic already going all-in in the Principality?
Novak Djokovic starts as number one in the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monte Carlo. The question is how important the world number one still takes this event.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Apr 06, 2023, 11:55 am
There were times when Novak Djokovic had to and wanted to prove something to the tennis world and above all to himself. For example, that he is able to bring Rafael Nadal to his knees on clay in one of his favorite tournaments. Monte-Carlo definitely falls into this category - and after Djokovic was defeated by the great Spaniard in the finals in 2009 and 2012, the 2013 final success certainly went down like warm oil.
Ten years later, the priorities of the world number one are elsewhere - primarily on winning a 23rd major title. Preferably in Roland Garros and therefore on sand and therefore in Rafael Nadal's living room. Sure, a few (tournament) victories would be good for self-confidence on the way there. After all, Djokovic has one last hurdle to cross with Jimmy Connors' 109 championships before he then holds virtually all the relevant records in tennis.
Djokovic last won in Monte Carlo in 2015
However, the recent past has shown that the classic in his adopted home of Monte-Carlo for Novak Djokovic has more the character of a loose hitting of ashes. Any examples? Last year he was defeated in the first match by Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina. In 2021 it was Dan Evans in the round of 16 who celebrated a surprising win against Djokovic.
Four years ago it was Daniil Medvedev who abruptly stopped Djokovic's run in the Principality in the quarter-finals, in 2018 Dominic Thiem in the round of 16. The last title was in 2015, when Novak Djokovic beat Tomas Berdych in the final, before that Rafael Nadal finished smoothly 6: 3 and 6: 3.
The path to the 2023 title has certainly become easier with the cancellations of Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. And when Novak Djokovic is around and showing his best tennis, he should be unbeatable. But the competition also knows: If the industry leader is to be grabbed, then it is most likely to be on sand at the first 1000m of the year.
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