Novak Djokovic handed nightmare Monte Carlo draw and he could face Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic has been handed a challenging draw as he prepares to play only his third tournament of 2023 in Monte Carlo next week.
The world No 1 has opted to have a light workload so far in 2024, after he pulled out of the Miami Open after suggesting he would prefer to spend more time with his family.
That sparked suggestions that the 24-time Grand Slam champion was struggling to motivate himself to continue in a sport he has dominated in recent years.
His parting with coach Goran Ivanisevic was an unexpected twist on his story, with the Croat confirming one of the issues for Djokovic in recent months has been motivation.
Djokovic’s fellow Serb Nenad Zimonjic had filled Ivanisevic’s shoes as he prepared to play in Monte-Carlo, with that choice applauded by the former Wimbledon champion.
“I don’t know for how much longer Novak plans to keep on playing, but the perfect person is with him at the moment – Ziki (Nenad Zimonjic),” said Ivanisevic in an interview with Tennis Majors.
“He is a great friend of mine, we went through a lot together and I love him. He has vast tennis knowledge, but what is most important – he knows Novak really well.
“At the moment, Novak doesn’t need someone completely new, who is yet to get to know him. Let’s say 10 days pass, Novak ‘goes crazy’ and this new coach is left wondering what is going on.
“I believe that Novak will find motivation, I am sure of it. I wish him Olympic gold with all my heart, even more than the Slams.”
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Those comments suggested Djokovic is no longer inspired by the prospect of playing ATP 1000 tournaments, so all eyes will be on the Serbian as he starts his campaign in Monte Carlo next week.
He will open with a potential match against Roman Safiullin, before what could be a fascinating re-match with Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokoivc was beaten by Musetti at the last-16 stage of the Monte-Carlo Masters last year and it would be intruiging to see the pair lock horns once again on the same court.
Musetti would need to come through a first-round match against America’s Taylor Fritz and a second-round match against either Frenchman Adrian Mannarino or Arthur Fils to get to a clash with Djokovic.
Alex De Minaur is another potential opponent for Djokovic, as is Andrey Rublev before a possible semi-final showdown with world No 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
The draw has also given Carlos Alcaraz some tricky potential match-ups, with Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime a possible second-round opponent and the in-form Ugo Humbert possibly lying in wait in round three.
Great Britain’s Jack Draper and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz will meet in an eye-catching opening round match that is sure to feature some huge serving on the red clay, with the winning of that contest also in Alcaraz’s path.
In the bottom half of the draw, No 2 seed Sinner could face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Sebastian Korda in his opening match, with the in-form Grigor Dimitorv a potential third-round opponent.
