“Should be viewed as normal,” Andy Roddick not worried about Novak Djokovic after Monte Carlo Masters shocker

Novak Djokovic suffered a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in his first match of the Monte Carlo Masters.

“Should be viewed as normal,” Andy Roddick not worried about Novak Djokovic after Monte Carlo Masters shocker

Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, ESPN)

Andy Roddick is not at all worried about Novak Djokovic‘s form even though the Serb suffered an upset in his opening round of the Monte Carlo Masters. On Wednesday (April 9), Djokovic kick-started his campaign against Alejandro Tabilo, who needed an hour and 27 minutes to book a spot in the third round.

Djokovic, who committed 29 unforced errors was utterly disappointed with his defeat, calling the match, his “worst” performance, and he apologized to those who watched his match. The Serb entered the tournament in his bid to claim his 100th title, having failed to do so at the Miami Open where Jakub Mensik defeated him in the final.

But Roddick, who has time and again said no one can write off Djokovic even though he soon will turn 38, said the Monte Carlo Masters only served as a practice ground for Djokovic. The 2003 US Open champion said the tournament was “almost paid practice” for Nole.

It should be viewed as normal. I don’t think that the base level for Novak for a successful year is two Majors anymore. I think the question is, can I build up my season? Can I peak for the Majors, right? Can I be as good once as I ever was, right? I think that matters a little bit more. I don’t know if we would have seen Novak here in this tournament, or the last couple of years frankly, if he didn’t live up the street, right?

Andy Roddick said on Tennis Channel

Tabilo has now secured a 2-0 lead over the two-time Monte Carlo Masters champion in their head-to-head encounter. The 27-year-old, who had also eliminated 2014 Monte Carlo winner Stan Wawrinka, has set up a third-round clash with Grigor Dimitrov, against whom he is 0-2 in the head-to-head record.

It was also Tabilo’s first consecutive win in a tournament since August last year. His best result at a Masters 1000 tournament came in last year’s Italian Open where he reached the semifinals en route to which, he had eliminated Djokovic in the second round.

Barry Fulcher makes feelings known on Novak Djokovic’s call for more prize money to be given to players

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) sued the tennis governing bodies in their demand for several changes, one of which was the prize money distribution. Then the top 20 players requested the Grand Slam tournaments to increase the share of the profits, and Novak Djokovic too said players are the main stakeholders and should be paid more.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via Instagram/Rolex Monte Carlo Masters)

The 37-year-old, while giving his verdict on PTPA’s class action lawsuit, said the lower-ranked players struggle to make ends meet with low earnings. Barry Fulcher, the coach of ATP top 20 ranked doubles player Julian Cash agreed with Djokovic.

It’s absolutely right for Novak to highlight the fact that, relative to other sports, there are so few players in the world able to earn a living from the sport. If you take what has been said at face value, Novak is absolutely on the money.

Barry Fulcher told Tennis365

Djokovic, prior to the Miami Open, said he agrees and disagrees with a lot of things the PTPA mentioned in their lawsuit. He was not listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit even though he and Vasek Pospisil founded the players’ union in 2020.

Djokovic, following his Monte Carlo Masters exit, will shift his focus to the Madrid Open, the second Masters 1000 of the season on clay. The 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t yet won a title since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year.