Novak Djokovic issued an apology after losing his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who is a two-time champion of the event, was swept aside in straight sets by Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in what was his first match of the year on clay. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was far from his best with 29 unforced errors produced and just a 42% success rate behind his second serve. Paving the way for an inspired Tabilo to claim his second win over a top 10 player in his career. He also beat Djokovic on clay in 2024.
“I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this. It was horrible,” Djokovic told reporters during his press conference. “I did not have high expectations. I knew I’m going to have a tough opponent and I knew I’m going to probably play pretty bad. But this bad, I didn’t expect.”
The defeat comes during what has been a mixed season so far for the Serbian. In January He reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open before retiring injured and then the final of the Miami Open last month where he was beaten by Jakub Mensik.
However, he has also lost his first match in three out of the last four tournaments played. Also doing so in Doha against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and in Indian Wells against Botic van de Zandschulp.
“I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way. I don’t know. [It was] just horrible,” he said of his latest defeat.
“A horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.”
When quizzed about his current fitness, the 37-year-old was quick to dismiss any speculation. He was recently affected by an eye infection but said ‘there’s no injury‘ when asked if it is now okay. Meanwhile, on the practice courts footage emerged of Djokovic grabbing his arm which he later described as a ‘minor thing.’
It is the fourth time Djokovic has failed to win his first match at the Monte Carlo Masters since making his debut in 2006. He will return to action later this month at the Madrid Masters where coach Andy Murray will be joining him.
