Reuters
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ATP Masters 1000 – Monte Carlo Masters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Monte Carlo Masters – Monte-Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France – April 12, 2022 Novak Djokovic in action during his second round match against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovic Fokina REUTERS/Denis Balibos
Monte Carlo, April 13 (BUS): Novak Djokovic said he felt drained towards the end of his loss to Alejandro Davidovic Fokina in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday, acknowledging that defeat was almost inevitable en route to the final set.
Playing his fourth game of the season after being denied the opportunity to defend his Australian Open title in January due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic broke nine times and made 51 unforced errors in a 6-3 6-7 (5) defeat 6-1 in front of the Spaniard. Read more
“I’m disappointed. Nobody likes to lose. We are professional athletes. That’s what we do. We go out on the field to compete and try to win against each other,” Djokovic, who has won in Monaco twice, told reporters.
“I didn’t like the way I physically felt in the third set. Totally ran out of gas. I couldn’t stay on the rally with him. If you can’t stay on the rally, don’t feel on the mud, it’s an impossible task.
“So I don’t like the feeling I had in the third set but I will look with my team for the reasons that led to that and come back to the drawing board and hopefully next week will be even better in Belgrade.”
Djokovic said he hopes to build up his game at the French Open starting next month, where he will defend his title, Reuters reported.
“That’s the big goal in the dirt season,” Djokovic said. “I knew a few days ago when I spoke to you… that it would take a while to really feel my best on the mud.
“Historically, that has always been the case. You didn’t play well in the opening dirt season. But that’s okay… I have to accept the defeat and keep working.”