Novak Djokovic makes Monte Carlo Masters confession as he finds himself in unfamiliar territory

Shahida Jacobs 06 Apr 2024 8:33 PM

Novak Djokovic chats to the media during a press conference

Novak Djokovic will kick off his clay-court season with his “expectations low”, but he insists he will head into the Monte Carlo Masters “with enthusiasm and excitement”.

Unlike in previous years when he started his year with titles at the Australian Open, Dubai or the Sunshine Double, Djokovic remains without a trophy so far in 2024.

He was part of the Serbia squad that lost in the quarter-final of the United Cup and followed that up with a shock semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. After skipping the Middle East swing, he returned at the Indian Wells Open, but was stunned by Luca Nardi in the third round before withdrawing from the Miami Open.

Next up is the first clay ATP Masters 1000 event of the year in Monte Carlo and it is a tournament where he has also struggled in recent years.

Novak Djokovic’s Monte Carlo Record

After finishing runner-up in 2009 and 2012, the Serbian made his breakthrough in the Principality in 2013 as he defeated defending champion Rafael Nadal in the final and two years later he won a second title with victory over Tomas Berdych.

However, he has failed to make it past the quarter-final since then and his record in the last three years don’t make for pretty reading as he lost twice in the third round and once in the second round.

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Needless to say, he knows he will need to work hard if he is to change his recent record.

“My expectations are not very high, with the way I have been playing this year at the tournaments and also the results that I had in Monaco in previous years were not great, so I keep my expectations low,” Djokovic said. “For me it is about building my game on clay courts and trying to reach the peak again.

“Some players like myself, require a little more time to reach the top level of tennis. Earlier in my career I was doing better in Monte Carlo.

“I won titles in 2013 and 2015, quite a long time ago. The last five or six editions here have not been that successful and I am always hoping that could change.

“I am going into the tournament with enthusiasm and excitement that I am here. I didn’t play in Miami, so had extra time to practise on clay and get my body and game adjusted to this surface so let’s see how it goes.”

But he hopes that home comforts will count for something as Monte Carlo is his home event and he knows the courts inside out.

“I always love playing in Monte Carlo. It has been a residence of mine for many years. Both of my children were born in Monte Carlo, so I consider it a home and a place where I spend countless hours of training in this club,” he said.

“I know people working on the courts and it feels comfortable. It is added pressure when you want to play your best in a home environment. Also, the fact that clay is the most demanding surface in my sport.”