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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates defeating Gael Monfils of France with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 during their Mens Singles Semifinal Match on Day Twelve of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates defeating Gael Monfils of France with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 during their Mens Singles Semifinal Match on Day Twelve of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic hasn’t been involved in any Tour action since braving an abdominal muscle tear to record a heroic title triumph at this year’s Australian Open.
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However, with the fast-approaching clay court season, the Serb has started feeling his way back into tennis.
Novak Djokovic has confirmed participation at the Monte Carlo Masters
A video has surfaced on Twitter, showing the current World Number 1 sparring with his wife Jelena and son Stefan ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters.
In the video, Djokovic, who is based in Monte Carlo with his family, is seen knocking tennis balls on a practice court.
Djokovic dynasty 🤗@DjokerNole's son and wife @jelenadjokovic provide the perfect practice pic.twitter.com/BC4Tu5K06v
— ITF (@ITFTennis) April 1, 2021
In a relief for his fans, who are doubtlessly anxious to see him return to action fit and healthy, the Serb didn’t look in any visible discomfort as he got into his shots and volleys.
While the 33-year-old is initially seen knocking balls casually with his son, he steps up a gear as his wife takes over as his sparring mate and makes him run around the court.
Novak Djokovic doesn’t have too many happy memories of Monte Carlo Masters
Djokovic won’t have too many happy memories going into the Masters this year, as he fell in the quarter-finals to Russian Daniil Medvedev in the 2019 edition of the event.
He fared even poorer in the year prior, bowing out at the round-of-16 stage after losing to the current World Number 4 Dominic Thiem.
He also made an early exit in 2017 after crashing to a three-set defeat to Czech Jiri Vesely in a round-of-32 tie.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates victory after winning his singles match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during Day 1 of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena on November 10, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The event was canceled last year owing to concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Thiem won’t be part of the draw this year, there’s a raft of other top stars, including familiar foe and 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and defending champion Fabio Fognini, who will pose steep hurdles in his bid to win the title.
The Spaniard clinched the trophy in back-to-back editions in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and will fancy winning it again this year as he prepares for his title defense at the French Open.
Read More: Novak Djokovic Says He Would Have Withdrawn From Australian Open 2021 if it Wasn’t a Grand Slam
With no matches under his belt as he opens his Monte Carlo campaign, Djokovic, though seen as a title contender, will be feeling more like an underdog.
