Djokovic has high expectations at Monte Carlo Masters

Yesterday, both Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal announced that they would not be attending the first clay tournament of the year, the Monte Carlo Masters. In addition, Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada), Denis Shapovalov (Canada), Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain) and Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) will also be absent in Monaco.

Djokovic is determined to win Monte Carlo this year (Photo: AP).

Novak Djokovic, along with Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Zverez, and Casper Ruud, are the brightest candidates for the Monte Carlo championship (starting on April 9). Djokovic is receiving the greatest expectations, as he has had a long rest due to not participating in Indian Wells and Miami Open.

At Monte Carlo 2022, Djokovic stopped in the second round when he lost to Alejandro Fokina (Spain) with a score of 1-2 (3-6, 7-6(5), 1-6). Therefore, this year, the Serbian player only needs to defend 45 points to keep the ATP number one position.

Even if he wins the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters, Nole will have 955 points and break away from the top of the ATP. However, Djokovic did not really compete successfully at this clay tournament in Monaco.

Djokovic has won Monte Carlo twice (beating Nadal in the 2013 final and Tomas Berdych in the 2015 final). However, in the past 8 years, Djokovic has never passed the quarterfinals of this tournament.

Of Djokovic's 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles, Monte Carlo is the tournament he has won the least (twice) and has lost 13 matches (winning 35). Therefore, Djokovic hopes to win the title in Monaco this year, creating a stepping stone before important upcoming clay tournaments such as Barcelona Open (April 17 to April 23), Madrid Open (April 24 to May 7), Rome Masters (May 8 to May 21) and especially Roland Garros (May 28 to June 11).

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/djokovic-dat-ky-vong-lon-o-monte-carlo-masters-20230406070310630.htm