Novak Djokovic apologizes to all the Monte Carlo fans for his ‘horrible’ display against Alejandro Tabilo

Alejandro Tabilo recorded his second straight set victory against Novak Djokovic on clay at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters.

Novak Djokovic apologizes to all the Monte Carlo fans for his ‘horrible’ display against Alejandro Tabilo

Novak Djokovic (via Instagram/Rolex Monte Carlo Masters)

Novak Djokovic lost yet another opportunity to clinch his 100th career title, this time to a familiar face. Alejandro Tabilo, who handed the Serbian a surprising loss at the Rome Masters last year, defeated Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters. Djokovic who is in a title drought since last year’s Paris Olympics, acknowledged his performance in this match as “horrible”.

With this loss, Djokovic was also denied the chance this year to complete the triple career golden Masters. He is a two-champion at the Monte Carlo Masters. He won 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 where he defeated Tomas Berdych in the finals.

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It was actually more like the worst day. Look… I was hoping it was not going to happen. But it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way.. Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way… & I’m just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.

Novak Djokovic via Monte Carlo Press

Djokovic has had a roller-coaster season so far in which he also sustained some injuries. He went deep into the Australian Open and Miami Open but otherwise was knocked out during the opening rounds of tournament like the Qatar Open, Indian Wells Open and Monte Carlo Masters.

Tabilo on the other hand entered the tournament having lost his first six matches of the year. The Chilean had defeated another former champion, Stan Wawrinka, in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters before facing Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic didn’t expect to be ‘this bad’

In their second meeting on court, Alejandro Tabilo once again proved too strong for Novak Djokovic, who struggled to find his range from the baseline and cope with Tabilo’s flat ball-striking. Djokovic committed 14 unforced errors and was unable to hit through Tabilo in the second set, squandering his only break point chances of the set in the eighth game.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via X/We Love Tennis)

I expected myself at least to have put a decent performance. Not like this. It was horrible. I did not have high expectations, really. I knew I was gonna have a tough opponent… and I knew I’m gonna probably play pretty bad. But this bad… I didn’t expect.

Novak Djokovic added

Tabilo will face Grigor Dimitrov in the next round in the Principality. The Bulgarian has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Tabilo and has defeated Valentin Vacherot and Nicolas Jarry in his previous rounds of the tournament.

Tabilo’s best result at a Masters 1000 tournament came last year in Rome, where he advanced to the semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Alexander Zverev. Akin to Djokovic, Zverev is also eliminated from the Monte Carlo Masters after his opening round defeat.

Novak Djokovic has only one goal for the clay season now

This loss at Monte Carlo comes after Novak Djokovic’s recent run at the Miami Open, where he reached his first final of the season. Djokovic displayed an impressive performance not dropping a set en route to the finals but lost in two tiebreaks to Jakub Mensik in the championship match.

Novak Djokovic French Open Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic has won the French Open thrice (images via Roland Garros)

Djokovic turns 38 next month – shortly before the French Open starts. After a disappointing start to the clay season, Djokovic described that his sole goal now on clay is to focus on the French Open. In this tournament, he would once again compete for his 25th Grand Slam title, having won his last Major title in the 2023 US Open. Djokovic is a three time champion in the French Open, having clinched the title in 2016, 2021 and 2023.