Lorenzo Musetti expecting to get a lesson from Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo rematch

Kevin Palmer
Delight for Lorenzo Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti enjoying a win against Novak Djokovic

Lorenzo Musetti is relishing the chance to take on Novak Djokovic once again, a year after his famous win against the world No 1 in Monte Carlo.

The Italian sealed the biggest win of his career when he beat an ailing Djokovic a year ago, with the Serbian struggling to deal with a troublesome elbow injury in his 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win.

Now Musetti is preparing to play Djokovic once again after he beat Arthur Fils in his first round match.

“It will be a lesson, for sure, in both ways,” said Musetti.

“If I lose or if I win, doesn’t really matter, because, you know, playing against a champion like Nole, there is always something to learn and to, you know, to take.”

Djokovic played his first match since Indian Wells after choosing to skip the Miami Open and then parting ways with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic.

With former Serbian doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic guiding him from the stands, Djokovic, now the oldest men’s singles number one in history, eased to a 6-1 6-2 victory over Russia’s Roman Safiullin.

He spoke about the prospect of playing Musetti before it was confirmed who his next opponent would be and made it clear that last year’s defeat against the rising star would not be on his mind when they clash again.

“I’m not scared of anything and anybody, but I really hope that I can get the chance to play him again, get the matchup, another matchup here,” said Djokovic as he looked ahead to a clash with Musetti.

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“He obviously is, you know, one of the most talented players on clay, a beautiful one-handed backhand.

“He’s very athletic. He can do a lot of great things. He’s one of the most promising young players not only from Italy but generally for the world.

“I like the way I played my first match compared to the first match last year. I feel much different, more ready, so whoever is across the net, I’m hoping I can deliver my best game.

“It’s a great start. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves and put our hopes too high.

“It’s only one match, but the way I felt, I’m really pleased. It’s just the beginning of the tournament. It’s one match.

“I’m going to hope to work tomorrow to maintain that rhythm and focus, obviously try to perform as well as I did in the second match as I did today.”

The match against Musetti is the kind of clash Djokovic may feel he needs as he looks to blow off the cobwebs in his game after an unfamiliar start to the year.

This serial winner has been used to having a Grand Slam title in his back pocket at the Australian Open by the time he gets to Monte Carlo, but 2024 has been a year of change on and off the court for the 24-time Grand Slam icon.

The news that Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters due to a forearm injury may encourage Djokovic to believe his path to the final could have opened up, with a potential clash against Jannik Sinner in the final a mouth-watering prospect.

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