The organizers of the Monte Carlo Masters 2023 (taking place from April 9 to April 16 in Monaco) announced on their official website: "The owner of 22 Grand Slams, most recently the Australian Open championship, Djokovic will be present at this tournament more than ever (16 times) to conquer his third title in Monte Carlo".
Djokovic missed two ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on hard courts at Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to being denied entry to the US due to not having received a Covid-19 vaccine. However, he was still allowed to play in the Monte Carlo Masters in early April because Monaco did not make such a request.
Djokovic is ready for the Monte Carlo Masters 2023 (Photo: AP).
Nole won the Monte Carlo Masters men's singles title twice in 2013 and 2015. However, in the past 8 years, the Serbian player has not been able to win the first ATP Masters 1000 championship in the clay court season.
Sport Klub (Serbia) revealed that Djokovic has started practicing on clay courts at his tennis academy in the Dorcol urban area of his hometown Belgrade (Serbia) with his practice partner, former compatriot Victor Troicki.
Sharing with the press, Djokovic said: "I have no pressure to continue competing, because I have celebrated my 20th year as a professional. I have had enough experience and titles. But I always think, what is enough? I feel that glory is never enough. So I always want to do more.
I always remind myself of my passion and love for tennis. My top priority right now is the Grand Slam. I need to find a way to adapt to competing at this age."
After Monte Carlo, Djokovic can attend the Madrid Open and Rome Masters, as a springboard towards Roland Garros (Photo: AP).
At the Monte Carlo Masters 2023, Djokovic will face many of the world's top tennis players such as Rafael Nadal, Carlo Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev or Taylor Fritz...
Among them, Carlos Alcaraz is considered Nole's biggest rival. The Spanish star is currently taking Djokovic's ATP number one spot after winning the 2023 Indian Wells championship. Alcaraz has advanced to the fourth round of the Miami Open, but as the defending champion of this tournament, "Little Nadal" has to defend 1,000 points.
If Alcaraz fails to win the Miami Open, he will lose points and lose the ATP number one spot to Djokovic according to the rankings released on April 3, when the top stars prepare for the Monte Carlo Masters starting on April 9.
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