Novak Djokovic says he is “motivated” to make a better than usual start to the clay-court season in Monte Carlo as he tunes up for a 23rd Grand Slam bid at the French Open.
The Serb is back on court after failing to get a waiver to enter the United States for last month’s Indian Wells tournament and Miami Open due to his anti-Covid vaccination stance.
“I hope I will start well, because the last three tournaments in Monte Carlo I have not been very successful,” the world number one said yesterday.
“And I’m also motivated because I didn’t play for the past month,” added Djokovic, who is due to enter the Monte Carlo Masters fray in the second round against qualifiers American Mackenzie McDonald or Russian Ivan Gakhov.
A winner in 2013 and 2015, Djokovic will fancy his chances of going far in a tournament robbed of 11-time winner Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz due to injury.
Djokovic, who won this year’s Australian Open, is on nodding terms with every inch of clay in Monte Carlo, his local club.
“I know the club very well. I’m one of the players that lives in Monaco and use this club as a training base. It’s a great feeling sleeping in your own bed on your own pillow and being able to have kind of a home feeling of playing in the tournament.”
At 35 years of age Djokovic says he is more selective about his playing commitments these days.
“Things are not the same like they were 10 years ago in terms of the amount of vital energy that I have to play as many tournaments as the other younger guys.
“So of course I do pick and choose where I want to peak and how I want to build my form and how I want to work around my schedule. There are certain events, in this case, of course, Grand Slams are the tournaments where I peak. So for the clay season it’s no secret where I want to be able to play my best tennis – it’s Roland Garros.”
Tsitsipas has eyes on third Monte Carlo crown
Stefanos Tsitsipas said he is relishing a return to the European claycourt season as the Greek world number three targets a third consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title in the build-up to the French Open starting next month.
After losing the Australian Open final against current world number one Novak Djokovic in January, the 24-year-old Tsitsipas suffered early defeats in Rotterdam and Indian Wells before a fourth-round loss in Miami.
The 2021 Roland Garros runner-up returns to clay hoping to claim his first trophy of the year at Monte Carlo, having beaten Andrey Rublev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the previous two finals of the prestigious tournament.
“It’s a pleasure to return to the claycourt swing,” Monte Carlo resident Tsitsipas told reporters. “It’s one of the most fascinating parts of the year, starting the claycourt swing in Monte Carlo, which is my favourite place in the world. I’m looking to make it three titles. But I won’t take too much time thinking of it. I’m feeling refreshed that we’re able to start playing on clay again.
“The Monegasque people have showed their love and support and the Italian and French fans. Also, the Greek community. I know most of them... It’s my home tournament.”
Tsitsipas said he enjoyed tactical battles on clay, a surface on which he has won four of his nine titles.
“I think it’s deeper than people think. There is a lot of strategy involved,” said Tsitsipas, who will begin his campaign against Benjamin Bonzi or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
“You’re not expecting to hit crazy winners on a surface like clay. You’re dealing with much patience when you’re playing.
“It involves more around unforced and forced errors. The way you can open the court. The main priority isn’t to hit a winner, but be precise and open the court.”