It’s been a tough year so far for Novak Djokovic, hasn’t it? He started 2025 with high hopes, reaching the quarterfinals in Brisbane and the semis at the Australian Open. But those elusive 100th title and 25th Grand Slam still remain out of reach. First, Reily Opelka stopped him in Brisbane, and then a hamstring injury forced a heartbreaking AO withdrawal. Concerns lingered about his recovery, but he returned to the Middle East, only to face a quick exit in Qatar. The Sunshine Double was a mixed bag too – an early exit at Indian Wells followed by another defeat against Jakub Mensik in Miami. And now, it seems the Monte Carlo Masters might bring more of the same!
Monte Carlo is a place with good memories for Nole, snatching those titles back in 2015 and 2017. You could almost feel the nostalgia in the air. But then came the rumours– would he even play? Turns out it was touch-and-go! As he put it ahead of the tournament, as reported by TNT Sports, “It [MC participation] was [in doubt]. Particularly because of the infection of the eye and a little bit of a viral infection I’ve been dealing with last week, but it seems to be okay these days. I mean, not ideal.” Was this an issue all along?
He was seen using eye drops during the changeover in the Miami Open final before he ultimately fell to the 19-year-old. The world No. 5 elaborated, “Well, the eye, yes. Unfortunately, it started in semi-finals day in Miami, and so I did struggle with it in the finals. But it’s calming down, I guess. I mean, I’m visiting the doctor later today, so let’s see. Should be okay for the first round here. Let’s see if I can carry that onto clay.” However, being a top seed does have its perks, though.
Novak Djokovic says his eye issue is improving, but not ideal:
“It [MC participation] was [in doubt].
Particularly because of the infection of the eye and and a little bit of a viral infection I’ve been dealing with last week, but it seems to be okay these days. I mean,… pic.twitter.com/W3e94y5rQz
— Olly Tennis (@Olly_Tennis_) April 6, 2025
Novak received a bye directly into the second round in Monte-Carlo, where he will face Alejandro Tabilo. But with the eye infection still bothering him, his expectations at this year’s clay-court swing aren’t looking up. “It’s obviously a completely different surface and I didn’t have much time to get used to this tournament, so my expectations are not really high for the results here,” he admitted.
Looking back, Novak Djokovic has a pretty impressive clay-court pedigree, though it’s fair to say hard courts have been his absolute kingdom, where he has clinched over 70 titles. Still, he’s snagged a solid 20 singles titles on the red dirt throughout his career. But Monte Carlo isn’t just any tournament for the Serb. It’s his grand re-entry to the clay court scene since he clinched the Olympic gold in Paris last summer!
Not to mention that it seems like his coach, Andy Murray, will be absent from this tournament! But where is he? That’s a question even Novak is wondering,
Novak is clueless about Murray’s whereabouts ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters
As his preparations kicked off with an intense training session alongside Carlos Alcaraz, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament. it appeared that Djokovic’s team has undergone a change. Instead of the former Briton No.1, he was seen with his brother Marko stepping in as coach in the absence of Andy Murray.
When asked about Murray’s whereabouts, Djokovic was candid in his pre-tournament press conference: “I have no idea, to be honest. I spoke to him about four or five days ago, and he was back home. Occupied with family, and I guess he’s working on his golf swing because that’s his priority this week.”
Stepping into the coaching role is his brother, Marko, a former player himself! This brotherly bond on the court brings back memories, like their doubles adventure at the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters. And Nole is confident about having his brother by his side.
He noted, “My brother Marko was able to join me, so that helps me on a different level emotionally. To have some time with him on the road, I don’t get to see him much, it’s great for me.” However, with his eye infection looming, will he exceed expectations and somehow get his hands on his 100th title? We’d love to hear what you think!
The post “expectations are not really high,” Novak Djokovic’s deteriorating health casts performance doubts on clay as Monte Carlos approaches appeared first on EssentiallySports.