Monte Carlo Rolex Masters director holds optimism for Novak Djokovic in 2025 despite an opening round exit at this year’s tournament
After facing an opening round exit at the Monte Carlo Masters, Novak Djokovic will continue the quest for his 100th title at the Madrid Open.
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Novak Djokovic, David Massey (images via Monte Carlo Masters)
The 2025 Monte Carlo Masters had been an exciting tournament filled with surprises. Favorites such as Novak Djokovic and top seed Alexander Zverev faced a surprising opening-round exit. Alex de Minaur scored an impressive double bagel in the quarterfinals. Lorenzo Musetti upset three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and reached his first Masters 1000 final. The Italian eventually lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the finals, who clinched his sixth Masters 1000 title.
In a press conference, tournament director David Massey reflected on the significant developments in the Monte Carlo Masters this year. He also backed Djokovic as a player who continues to perform at an incredible level despite poor form in the Principality.
The 37-year-old faced an opening round defeat in straight sets to Alejandro Tabilo. This marked their second meeting on court, with Tabilo having defeated Djokovic in their first encounter too at the Rome Masters last year.
We still have players like Novak Djokovic, who did not showcase his best tennis here, and we know he was frustrated with his level of play, yet he continues to perform at an incredible level. He can still defeat the world’s best players. Tennis has become much more professional now, not to say it wasn’t before, but you can see how players are able to extend their careers well into their 30s.
David Massey (H/T: Punto De Break)
With this opening round exit, Djokovic was also denied the chance this year to accomplish the triple career Golden Masters. The Serb is a two-time champion at the Monte Carlo Masters. He clinched his maiden title in 2013, where he defeated eight-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the finals. Djokovic won his next Monte Carlo Masters title in 2015 by defeating Tomas Berdych in the finals.
Novak Djokovic has come close on a few occasions to a 100th career title
Novak Djokovic, at the age of 37, shows no sign of stopping soon despite a long title drought. He won his last title at the Paris Olympics, wherein he clinched an Olympic gold medal for the first time. Djokovic is now looking to earn his 100th ATP title.
Djokovic has come close to that goal a few times this year. He reached the semifinals of the Australian Open but had to retire, unfortunately, due to a hamstring injury. He next put up his best performance at the Miami Open, where he reached the finals without dropping a set. However, he narrowly lost to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in two tiebreak sets. It was after this defeat that Djokovic went on to compete in the Monte Carlo Masters.
Novak Djokovic will next compete at the Madrid Open
After the Monte Carlo Masters, Novak Djokovic is expected to next compete in the Madrid Open. He is set to play the tournament for the first time since 2022. Djokovic has won this clay-court Masters 1000 event at La Caja Majica three times.
Djokovic clinched his maiden Madrid Open title in 2011, where he defeated defending champion Rafael Nadal. He won his next title in 2016, where he defeated his present coach, Andy Murray, in the finals. Djokovic clinched his third title in 2019, where he had an impressive run, not losing a set during the tournament. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the finals. However, for the Serbian, his bigger goal in the clay season is the prestigious Roland Garros, where he will be eyeing a 25th Grand Slam title.
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