Is Novak Djokovic poised to win the Monte Carlo Masters again this year?
The tennis parlays are buzzing about the dismal form displayed by Rafael Nadal as we embark upon the clay season with the start of the Monte Carlo Masters. The expectations will not be too high on the shoulders of the Mallorcan, who has himself downplayed his form saying that he doesn’t expect to perform at Monte Carlo the way he has been performing at the tournament over the last 10 years.
That leaves Novak Djokovic, who lives in Monte Carlo, as the pundits’ favourite to lift the trophy.
Djokovic has been riding on a wave of confidence after netting the Australian Open and the American spring hardcourt titles at Indian Wells and Miami, becoming the only player in men’s tennis history to win the Indian Wells-Miami double thrice. His prime challenger Nadal is out of form and has not been able to make a mark till now in the season.
Neverthless, you discount the King of Clay at your own risk. Moreover, being in the same half of the draw, Nadal and Djokovic are destined to meet in the semis, in case both make it that far.
Apart from the Spaniard, the defending champion Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, who has been the Serb’s chief challenger this season, can also derail Djokovic’s quest for the Mediterranean clay title. While Wawrinka has been lukewarm in the season so far, Federer may pose a tough challenge to the World No. 1. But the fact that Wawrinka and Federer are in the same quarter of the draw may bring a little cheer to the Serb’s camp.
Of course, Djokovic will also have to be wary of dangerous players like David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic and a bunch of other upcoming youngsters hungry to make a mark. Judging by his form though, it would not be surprising to see him lift his second Monte Carlo trophy and become the only man in history to win the year’s first three Masters titles.