Watch: Novak Djokovic plays a game of keepy-ups with PSG stars Neymar and Marco Verratti in Monte-Carlo
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Neymar, Novak Djokovic, Marco Verratti
Novak Djokovic is all set to kickstart his clay-court season at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters. The Serb had to skip multiple tournaments and missed nearly the entirety of spring hard court season, owing to his vaccination status. After all the ordeal Djokovic has been through, he is finally looking toward competing in a full season during the clay-court swing.
The World No.1 was in high spirits ahead of his opener in Monte Carlo. PSG stars Neymar Jr. and Marco Verratti were also in attendance during the first day’s matches. The duo competed in a Ligue 1 match yesterday and then jetted off to Monte-Carlo to watch Veratti’s compatriot, Fabio Fognini in action. Later on, both the players were engaged in a fun game of keepy-ups with Djokovic, albeit instead of a football it was a giant tennis ball.
It was Djokovic who ended up losing first after initially keeping pace with the PSG duo. Veratti and Neymar took a jibe at Djokovic before proceeding to pose alongside the Serb for the photographers.
Novak Djokovic eyes his 3rd title at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Djokovic will be looking to add a 3rd Monte-Carlo Masters title to his haul this season. Although the path to it is tough for the 34-year-old. He will begin his campaign against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round, having received a bye in the first round. This will be just his fourth match of the year, so there are still uncertainties over his match fitness. The troubles begin then on for Djokovic as he will like have to face Dan Evans in the third round. Last year at the same stage, Djokovic faced a shock defeat at the hands of Evans, he will be hoping to avoid the same result this time around.
Then a potential blockbuster quarter-final clash against Miami Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz awaits the Serb. The Spaniard might pose more than a few troubles given the red-hot form he has been in. Added to that, since his triumph in 2015, Djokovic is yet to progress past the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo.
He will also be looking to consolidate his ranking as the World No. 1. Djokovic holds a slender 10 point lead over 2nd ranked Daniil Medvedev. But with the Russian likely to miss the entire clay-court swing, the Serb will be looking to capitalize on it and stave off any possibility of losing his position at the top of the standings.
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T Rushitha
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