Novak Djokovic sent packing in farcical scenes at Monte Carlo Masters

Novak Djokovic was left seeing red after he was dudded by two officials while playing his first tournament in more than a month.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia argues with the chair umpire Aurelie Tourte. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the last 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters by Lorenzo Musetti in three sets on after the world number one struggled badly on serve.

Djokovic, a two-time winner in 2013 and 2015, was broken eight times before going down 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 on a wet and chilly day.

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“(The) feeling is terrible after playing like this, honestly. But congrats to him. He stayed tough in important moments, and that’s it,” said Djokovic.

But it was a moment in the second set that left the world number one seeing red.

With a 4-3 lead and looking set to cruise through to the next round with a straight sets victory, the Serbian was dudded by a brutal call from a line judge.

A forehand from Musetti appeared to go long but was ultimately called in which infuriated the top seeded Djokovic.

Djokovic brought chair umpire Aurelie Tourte down onto the court to plead his case and show her the mark on the clay court where the ball had landed out.

Tourte however saw things differently and indicated the ball had caught the line, that only poured fuel on the fire.

You cannot be serious. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

That’s the mark. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

An irate Djokovic couldn’t believe what was unfolding as fans in the stand lost their patience with the star’s bickering.

Replays however showed the 22-time Grand Slam winner was correct and the ball had sailed well beyond the baseline.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado wrote: “Djokovic got screwed there. Italian fans aren’t enjoying the complains, though.”

Fans watching on were firmly behind Djokovic and couldn’t believe the call had gone against him.

One wrote: “Clay court tennis is a joke. No roof, no lights and no Hawkeye. Worst time of the year for tennis.”

Another added: “This was awful. Truly awful.”
One fan said the moment flipped the match and stole it from Djokovic: “Moment when the match was robbed.”

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The Serb led by a set and a break against Musetti, but the Italian youngster fought back in a scrappy second set and then prevailed in the decider after rain interrupted the match for an hour.

Musetti, ranked 21st, advances to a quarter-final meeting with compatriot Jannik Sinner, who saved a match point before beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6, 6-1.

Djokovic, the big favourite in the absence of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, surged 5-2 ahead in the opening set. He dropped serve as he tried to close it out before breaking Musetti for a third time.

The mistake proved to be a costly one. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The top seed again looked in control at 4-2 in the second but was broken to love.

Musetti won the next three games, successfully serving for the second set at the second attempt after blowing his chance while leading 5-4.

A rain shower early in the deciding set forced play to be suspended, with Musetti landing the decisive break to go 5-3 up and eventually sealing victory on his fourth match point.

Djokovic has not gone beyond the last eight in Monte Carlo since 2015.

“I don’t think it’s catastrophic, but my feeling is bad right now because I lost the match. That’s all,” said Djokovic.

“It’s not a great day for me, so I’m not really in the mood to speak.”

– with AFP

Originally published as Novak Djokovic sent packing in farcical scenes at Monte Carlo Masters