(Tennis news) World number 1 Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a match that lasted two hours and 54 minutes. Playing in just his second event of the year, the Serbian made 51 unforced errors, resulting in his first loss at the opening round of a tournament since being defeated by Martin Klizan in Barcelona in 2018. 

After the match, Djokovic said “I'm disappointed. No one likes to lose. We're professional athletes. This is what we do. We go out on the court to compete and try to win against each other. I didn't like the way I felt physically in the third set. I just ran out of the gas completely. Just couldn't really stay in the rally with him. If you can't stay in the rally, not feeling your legs on the clay, it's mission impossible. So I don't like that feeling I experienced in the third set but I'm going to look with my team into reasons why that was the case and go back to the drawing board and hopefully next week will be better in Belgrade." 

Having already won the Monte Carlo Masters twice in his career, Djokovic simply lacked match fitness this time around, lost the first set and was immediately broken at the start of the second set. Davidovich Fokina, being 12 years younger than Djokovic, showed his inexperience by diving at the start of the seventh set on the clay court, which prompted injury fears and allowed Djokovic to take 10 points in a row. 

However, the momentum turned back into Davidovich Fokina’s favour when Djokovic committed four unforced errors while serving on the set, allowing the 22 year old to get back in the tie and force a tie-break. The 34 year old Serbian’s lack of match fitness was evident as he was broken three more times in the deciding set, ultimately costing him the match. 

In the post match interview, Djokovic said “This win is so special to me because I grew up watching Nole (Djokovic) and I'm a big fan of his. I knew Nole didn't have the confidence because he didn't play a lot this season. I had my chances in the beginning of the match and I took them. When he won the second set it was tough mentally, but I worked hard to be focused. I had to be prepared for the war." 

After his disappointing exit, Djokovic will now shift his attention to the French Open next month and will be undoubtedly hoping to defend his crown. The Serbian said “That's the big goal of the clay season. I knew a few days ago when I spoke to you… that it's going to take time for me to really feel my best on the clay. That's historically always been the case. Never played very well in the opening tournaments of the clay season. But it's OK, I have to accept the defeat and keep working." 

In other results, Britain’s Dan Evans defeated Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 6-0 7-6 (7-4) to reach the second round and will face David Goffin who overcame Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-3. 

Also read: Bublik defeats Wawrinka in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters