Reuters
Tennis – Davis Cup Finals – Group F – Serbia v Germany – Olympiahalle, Innsbruck, Austria – November 27, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
Reuters
Tennis – Davis Cup Finals – Group F – Serbia v Germany – Olympiahalle, Innsbruck, Austria – November 27, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
In a few days, the current world no.1 Novak Djokovic returns to tennis at Monte Carlo after a long layoff. Even after not playing many tournaments in recent times, the Serb still maintained his no.1 position in the ATP rankings. Before he starts his clay-court campaign at Monte Carlo, he spoke in his press conference about holding on to the top spot.
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Novak Djokovic feels lucky to be still the no.1 player in the world
On the 12th of April, 20-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic will start his campaign at the Monte Carlo Masters.
“I didn’t expect myself to be No. 1 without playing really tournaments this year, but I guess I was lucky. I’ll take it. I’ll try to maintain that position as much as possible,” Djokovic said.
#Djokovic: I didn't expect myself to be No. 1 without playing really tournaments this year, but I guess I was lucky. I'll take it. I'll try to maintain that position as much as possible.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) April 10, 2022
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Meanwhile, Djokovic did lose his no.1 position to the Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev. After his quarterfinal loss to Jiri Vesely at the Dubai Open, the Serb gave way to Daniil Medvedev to seal his spot. However, due to Daniil’s poor run of form at the Indian Wells and Miami Open, Djokovic reclaimed his position at the top without playing any tournaments.
Djokovic is ready to take the challenge at Monte Carlo Masters
In the round of 32 of Monte Carlo, Djokovic will face young Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. As Novak will be playing his first match in over a month, this will be a tough contest for the Serb. Also, Djokovic will face a much younger opponent in Davidovich Fokina who beat USA’s Marcos Giron in straight sets.
Meanwhile, if Djokovic wins his first couple of matches, he will potentially face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final. Recently, the 18-year-old Spaniard won the Miami Open after beating Casper Ruud in the final. Even at Indian Wells, Alcaraz showed outstanding form by reaching the semi-finals, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 12, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a shot against Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the men’s singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, after not playing for months, Novak’s lack of match practice will be the main cause of concern for him. It could take him a few tournaments to get going. But, he will still be the favorite to win the French Open if he can emulate last year’s form.
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