Novak Djokovic admits Monte Carlo opener was ‘an ugly win’ with his level below standard

Novak Djokovic is back on clay with “an ugly win”.

Novak Djokovic admits Monte Carlo opener was ‘an ugly win’ with his level below standard

Novak Djokovic

Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic started proceedings on clay with a hard-fought win over unseeded Russian Ivan Gakhov:7-6(7-5), 6-2. With 11-time Monte Carlo winner Rafael Nadal and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz not playing this year due to injury concerns, Novak Djokovic is the red-hot favorite to win a third title here and extend his record ATP-1000 Masters titles to 39.

After the match, Djokovic described his performance as “ugly”. As the Serbian said, “It was probably, if you can call it this way, an ugly tennis win for me today, I haven’t played my best, particularly in the first set. And I kind of expected that that was going to happen in a way with swirly conditions, a lot of wind today, changing directions.”

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Djokovic continued on how difficult the match was, against an inspired opponent, “It’s different practicing and then playing an official match on clay, [where] I guess no two bounces are the same. It’s always quite unpredictable what’s going to happen. But all in all, I’m just pleased with the way I held my nerves I think in the important moments and I managed to clinch the two-set win.”

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Djokovic is the red-hot favorite at Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

The Serbian superstar was expecting a change in policies from the USA Government until the last moments that would have allowed him to play the Sunshine Double (ATP-1000 Indian Wells Masters and Miami Masters) but the decision was not changed. With the United States of America lifting Covid emergency restrictions in May 2023, Novak will be allowed to play in the US Open this year.

Djokovic is now eyeing the clay court swing and possible peak at the French Open now. With the best clay court player Rafael Nadal still not completely healed from the hip injury sustained during the Australian Open, the clay court season is expected to be wide open this year.

Djokovic had a great first-match opponent in Ivan Gakhov at Monte Carlo Masters as the Russian tested Djokovic in all forms, especially in the first set. After scraping off rust in the opening set, the Serbian was on song and he will be looking forward to better performances in the coming rounds.

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