'Certainly Something Wrong': Djokovic's Attitude During Monte-Carlo Loss Under Microscope
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Novak Djokovic's performance and body language during his defeat at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters left former Australian Open runner-up Arnaud Clement unimpressed.
Djokovic's opening clay court match of 2025 against Alejandro Tabilo was disastrous by his high standards. He leaked a massive number of unforced errors and slipped to a comprehensive 3-6, 4-6 loss.
The performance was so bad that Djokovic felt compelled to apologize to the fans in his press conference afterward. He also stunningly admitted to not being surprised by his terrible level during the match.
Djokovic did not explain explicitly why he felt a lousy performance was likely. The Serbian had an eye injury in the 2025 Miami Open final against Jakub Mensik, but refused to use a physical issue as an excuse.
Clement did not hold back when talking about Djokovic on Eurosport France. He was not sure if the 24-time Grand Slam champion wanted to fight and find solutions against the odds, as fans have seen from him so many times.
"The shock, ultimately, is more the manner and the attitude than the elimination itself. It’s true that we didn’t feel he was happy on the court, we didn’t feel he was fulfilled. Did he want to? We don’t know. Did he have a problem? We don’t know. But there was certainly something wrong with Novak Djokovic today."
"And it wasn’t simply the fact that his tennis wasn’t in place. He didn’t give the impression, as can often be the case with him when things aren’t going well, of finding solutions and resources."
Djokovic has struggled at the Monte-Carlo Masters in the last decade since winning his second title in 2015. His run to last year's semifinal is the only time he has been to that stage since.
The tennis legend knows what it is like to suffer an early exit at the event, but something felt different about the defeat to Tabilo. As Clement mentioned, it did not seem like Djokovic was as committed to the cause as fans have become accustomed to.
However, Djokovic is unlikely to panic. In the press conference after losing to Tabilo, he admitted that the French Open at Roland Garros is his sole target for the clay court swing. Winning Masters 1000 tournaments is no longer pivotal.
Djokovic feels this way despite playing more events this year than in previous seasons. The 37-year-old plans to play at all three Masters 1000s on clay for the first time since 2022.
The former ATP world No. 1's comment about Roland Garros being his only target indicates that competing in more masters 1000 events on clay is primarily being done to stay sharp before the French Open rather than win those tournaments.
Djokovic needs just one more Grand Slam title to reach 25, a number no other singles player in tennis history has reached. He is currently tied with Margaret Court for the most major titles, with 24.
Rafael Nadal's retirement might make winning the French Open feel more attainable, but defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will be challenging to overcome in Paris.
