‘Just horrible’: Novak Djokovic’s sad admission after shock loss at Monte Carlo Masters

Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has plunged to a sad new low in what he described as his ‘worst day’ at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has admitted he simply cannot believe just how bad he is playing after crashing out of the Monte Carlo Masters.

On Thursday (AEDT) the Serbian provided little resistance as he lost 6-3, 6-4 to Alejandro Tabilo, who improved his career record over the 37-year-old to 2-0.

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And much like his performance, Djokovic was left feeling flat as he addressed the latest blip in his rapid fall from grace.

“I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this. It was horrible,” Djokovic said post-match.

“I did not have high expectations. I knew I’m going to have a tough opponent and I knew I’m going to probably play pretty bad. But this bad, I didn’t expect.

“I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way. I don’t know. (It was) just horrible.

“A horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.”

Tabilo, ranked 32 in the world, broke twice in the opening set, with Djokovic looking completely out of sorts in his first match on clay since winning Olympic gold last summer.

Novak Djokovic was stunned at the Monte Carlo Masters. Image: Getty

He continued to struggle for any consistency in the second set with his return game lacking its usual punch, as Tabilo built on an early break to register a one-sided victory over his rival, who committed a whopping 29 unforced errors in the match.

“I just tried to remember what I did well last time,” Tabilo said after his win.

“Thankfully I served well today and it helped me a lot. It was an unreal match.”

Djokovic will next compete at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid, where coach Andy Murray is expected to join him.

The Serb, who is still stuck on 99 ATP title wins, has not won a tournament since winning gold at last year’s Paris Olympics.

Carlos Alcaraz wins his first-ever match at the Monte Carlo Masters

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz overcame some early issues to register his first-ever win at the Monte Carlo Masters, with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Francisco Cerundolo.

After mixed fortunes in his American tour, with a semi-final in Indian Wells and an early loss to David Goffin in Miami, the 21-year-old Spaniard made a successful return to his preferred surface, clay.

Alcaraz, ranked three in the world, made a slow start against the lively Argentinian who outlasted him in extended cross-court rallies.

Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to win in Monte Carlo. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)

After gaining an early break, Alcaraz gave up four games in a row which was enough for Cerundolo to go on and take the set.

From then on, however, it was all Alcaraz with the Spaniard dropping just a single game over the next two sets as he blasted his way to victory in one hour and 38 minutes.

“I didn’t start well,” said Alcaraz.

“I made a lot of mistakes and I let him play inside the court, dominating the points.

Alcaraz’s only previous appearance in Monte Carlo in 2022 ended in a three-set defeat by Sebastian Korda.

But now with the monkey off his back in Monte Carlo and with Djokovic already out, he will like his chances of making a deep run.

– with AFP

Originally published as ‘Just horrible’: Novak Djokovic’s sad admission after shock loss at Monte Carlo Masters