Djokovic, without explanation for the defeat: “It has been horrible, I’m sorry for the people who have seen this”

In pain, pessimistic, and very self-critical: that’s how Novak appeared, not wanting to talk, at a press conference where he showed tremendous anger with his performance in Monte Carlo.

Just a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Novak Djokovic had regained the spark, the sauce, and the joy in many of his shots. The Miami Open showed us a recognizable version of the Serbian player, with his serve becoming decisive once again and a forehand reminiscent of his great performances. After losing in the final against Mensik, with an eye infection included, the Novak of the debut at the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo 2025 has regressed, perhaps, back to square one: not even he himself has found a clear explanation for his performance against Alejandro Tabilo, marking his third defeat of the year in the opening match of an official tournament.

“Today has been something like my worst day. I hoped this wouldn’t happen, but there was a very high chance I would play like this. I don’t know. Just awful. Playing like this generates a horrible feeling, I’m sorry for everyone who had to witness this”. So decisively stated the Serbian player at the start of his press conference, leaving behind damning statements that could be analyzed between the lines. What does he mean by there being “many chances” of playing like this? Perhaps he refers to the danger that the beginnings of each tour entail (even more so when the Grand Slam still seems so far away) for a Novak who requires greater adjustment to the conditions and to have confidence in his shots.

ROLAND GARROS, SOLE OBJECTIVE

Although the clay court season has just begun, it seems that Novak “has too many” of these events. In contrast to the need to accumulate victories to improve his ranking and, therefore, increase his chances of going far in Paris, the Serbian player is clear about his main goal in this tour: “Roland Garros.” Is that it? “That’s it,” Djokovic replied with a slight smile. A response that clearly defines his concerns and major objectives in the final stretch of his sports career.

“I expected, at least, to deliver a decent performance. Not something like this. It has been terrible. I didn’t have very high expectations, to be honest: I knew I was going to face a very tough opponent and I knew I would probably play very poorly… but so poorly honestly, I didn’t expect it“. Tremendous self-criticism from Djokovic who leaves Monte Carlo with a clouded mind, denying that the eye infection bothers him (“There’s no injury”, he firmly declared when asked about it), and reassessing his priorities and goals in the upcoming tournaments before what seems to be his sole and great objective in these two months: Roland Garros.