I am hoping this year I can start the clay season better – Novak Djokovic

The World No.1 Novak Djokovic is hopeful of starting the clay season on a high after missing the US-based tournament due to his unvaccinated status. Djokovic had lost to Davidovich Fokina of Spain in the round of 32 in the previous edition of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters.

Furthermore, the Serbian had lost in the round of 16 against Britain’s Daniel Evans in straight sets in 2021. Thus, in the last couple of seasons, the veteran hasn’t been able to hit the ground running at the start of the clay season and he wants to turn that around in 2023.

Meanwhile, Djokovic last played a competitive match back in March when he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Dubai Duty-Free Championships.

“I have done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament press conference.

“I have not had much success in Monte-Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven’t played great tennis here, so I am hoping this year I can start the clay season better than in previous years and build my form.”

Djokovic is using the Monte Carlo Country Club as a training base to gear up for the tournament.

“It is a club I know very well. Quite a few top players reside in Monaco and use this club as a training base. The club transforms incredibly during the weeks of the tournament, but it is a great feeling to sleep in your own bed,” Djokovic said. “Being able to have a home feeling of playing in the tournament.

“The atmosphere is amazing, with the club being so intimate and small. It is noisy and great. People are so excited to watch tennis and this is the tournament that has been successful throughout the history of our sport.”

The 35-year-old will play his opening match against American Mackenzie McDonald or a qualifier.