Djokovic gets chance to avenge loss to Tabilo in Monte Carlo Masters meeting

MONACO (AP) — Novak Djokovic will get the chance to avenge one of the more surprising losses of his career.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion will face 32nd-ranked Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Tabilo rallied past 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 in the first round Monday to set up the second-round rematch with Djokovic, who he beat at the Italian Open last year.

Djokovic, who had a first-round bye in Monte Carlo, won only five games against Tabilo in Rome.

It will be Djokovic’s first match since losing the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik.

The Monte Carlo Masters is first big clay-court tournament of the year. Also in the round of 64 Monday, Jiri Lehecka beat Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6 (7) and Marcos Giron beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Monte Carlo, April 9, 2025 — World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will step onto Court Rainier III tonight with more than just victory on his mind. As he begins his 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters campaign, the Serbian superstar is presented with a golden opportunity to avenge a painful loss to Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo — a defeat that still lingers in memory.

Their previous encounter came at the 2024 Rome Masters, where Tabilo stunned the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in straight sets. It was one of the biggest upsets of the season and marked a rare moment of vulnerability for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic struggled with rhythm and form that day, and the loss served as a wake-up call heading into the clay season.

Now, nearly a year later, the two meet again — this time with higher stakes and greater expectations. Djokovic is not only seeking revenge but is also chasing a historic milestone: his 100th ATP title. Only three players in history — Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, and Ivan Lendl — have reached that elite mark, and Djokovic is determined to join them.

Tabilo, currently ranked No. 45 in the world, enters this clash with renewed confidence after defeating former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the first round. That win ended an eight-match losing streak on clay and could be the spark he needs to push Djokovic once more.

Despite the rankings gap, tonight’s match promises to be fiercely competitive. Djokovic will look to impose his game early, using his trademark defense and precision to control rallies. Tabilo, meanwhile, will aim to replicate the aggression and fearless shot-making that earned him the win in Rome.

The match is scheduled to take place in prime time as part of a stacked lineup on Court Rainier III, adding to the drama and anticipation surrounding this high-stakes rematch.

For Djokovic, it’s a chance at redemption. For Tabilo, it’s the perfect stage to prove last year’s upset was no fluke. With Monte Carlo serving as the gateway to the European clay season, tonight’s battle could set the tone for what lies ahead.