Djokovic Not Focusing On Fight For World No. 1 Spot With Alcaraz

Tuesday, 18 April 2023 at 16:00

Updated at Tuesday, 12 August 2025 at 14:38

byJamie Malachy

Novak Djokovic has spoken about his ambitions for the rest of the clay-court season, following a disappointing loss in the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters last week to rising young Italian Musetti.

Djokovic looked well below his best during that defeat, and also appeared to be struggling with an elbow injury for which he required a protective sleeve.

However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion appears in a typically positive mindset despite the latest setback, alluding to his superb run of form at the end of last year and start of this season, as well as his unerring ability to peak at the biggest tournaments despite patchy form.

"Well, those are the biggest events that we have on the ATP tour. So of course, you want to play your best in the 1000 events. And I was fortunate throughout my career to keep the consistency of good results and good performances in these events. Of course, I pride myself with the amount of tournaments at a thousand a category level that I won. And of course, I always try to go further."

- Djokovic speaking to ATP Tennis Radio Podcast

When asked about losing the world no. 1 spot to Carlos Alcaraz during the Sunshine Double and later regaining it again, the Serb admitted that his focus is somewhere else during the clay-court season.

"Well, I'm actually placing my attention on my performances are trying to build my form, you know coming into Roland Garros. That's that's the event that I'm going to try to peek on in terms of the surface."

Last year, the 22-time major winner was able to overcome the long periods without playing and he will be hoping to do the same also this season.

"I think the form that I regained from post-US Open last year, you know, I didn't go to America. And then I had time to really prepare myself well, winning Wimbledon, and then coming back and winning in Tel-Aviv indoors and then really not looking back from there. Of course, it's a whole different story on this surface, hopefully the results will stay the same."

- Djokovic on peaking in time for the French Open