"Clearly dealing with struggles of not playing a match in a long time" - Tennis fans empathize with Novak Djokovic after early Monte-Carlo loss
Novak Djokovic's dismal 2022 season continued on Tuesday, as the World No. 1 succumbed to a shock defeat against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his opener at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters.
Although the Serb managed to clinch the second set, the World No. 46 proved too good for him and secured passage to the third round with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 victory.
Playing in only his fourth match of the year, the 20-time Grand Slam champion looked very rusty, getting broken nine times and making more than 50 unforced errors. He was hampered by the windy conditions and struggled with his fitness towards the closing stages.
Most tennis fans on social media empathized with the 34-year-old, pointing out that it was always going to be difficult for him considering his lack of match practice.
"Great win for Fokina who was awesome for the vast majority of that match. Way too early to read that much into Djokovic's overall clay season considering it's just his 4th match of the year in mid april," one user tweeted.
Great win for Fokina who was awesome for the vast majority of that match. Way too early to read that much into Djokovic's overall clay season considering it's just his 4th match of the year in mid april
I suspect. 
So Djokovic loses on his comeback. No great surprise. He needs matches as 51 unforced errors and being broken 9 times emphasises! Let鈥檚 see what his level is like a month from now.馃敐 I suspect.
Congrats though to ADF who dug deep to beat a world number 1 for the 1st time 馃憦
"Djokovic clearly dealing with the struggles of not playing a match in a long time," one fan wrote.
Djokovic clearly dealing with the struggles of not playing a match in a long time.
@josemorgado Djokovic all smiles at the net but for sure he is burning inside. his level right now is not enough
"Attempting to play a schedule this abbreviated was always going to have it's problems beyond just ranking points. I think I know a solution to his problem tho," another user tweeted.
I mean. Attempting to play a schedule this abbreviated was always going to have it's problems beyond just ranking points.
I think I know a solution to his problem tho! :-)
Since winning the title in 2015, Djokovic is 7-6 at Monte Carlo Masters, with two QFs, two 3R exits and two opening round losses.
And the last time Novak reached SF at any of first three M1000 events of the season (IW, Miami, MC) was in 2016. He hibernates between AO and Madrid.
Historically, Monte Carlo hasn鈥檛 been an indicator of what鈥檚 to come for #Djokovic. When he won RG (2016, 2022), he lost in 2R and 3R respectively.
Granted, he won AO both times, as well as IW and Miami 2016.
The match lasted almost three hours, clocking in at two hours and 54 minutes. Most fans pointed out how hard it must have been for the Serb to return to action against a difficult and unpredictable opponent, sympathizing with the World No. 1 for his poor showing.
"Looks like Djokovic is out of gas. Not easy for your first match back to be three hours on clay," one account wrote.
Looks like Djokovic is out of gas. Not easy for your first match back to be three hours on clay.
Need Djokovic fans to even more appreciate Rafa after he comes back cold after an injury and plays well off the bat.
Novak looks terrible and he wasn鈥檛 even injured lol #MonteCarlo
Post-2016, Djokovic has said repeatedly that he plans his fitness training specifically to peak for Slams. He hasn't been past the QF at Monte Carlo since.
It's a bad calendar spot (too far from RG), too windy and a tad slow. Result: Djokovic's lowest W% of the big clay events.
Other fans were disappointed that they would not get to witness a possible quarter-final clash between Djokovic and rising sensation Carlos Alcaraz. At the same time, many were of the opinion that it was for the best, since Alcaraz would have likely outclassed the Serb in his current form.
"Former player texts "Can you imagine what Alcaraz would do to Novak playing at this level?" ....imagine reading *that* sentence six months ago...." tennis writer Jon Wertheim posted.
Former player texts "Can you imagine what Alcaraz would do to Novak playing at this level?" ....imagine reading *that* sentence six months ago....
I do not think Alcaraz will be playing Djokovic this week
Last but not least, there was praise for Davidovich Fokina for the way he kept his cool against the veteran. The victory against the Serb marked the Spaniard's first ever top-5 win.
"I don't think Djokovic's loss to ADF has nothing to do with lack of match play. I just think there are other factors. Including: Davidovich has phenomenal abilities and I hope he starts putting the pieces together more consistently, because he can move the needle at his best," one fan praised the Spaniard.
I don't think Djokovic's loss to ADF has nothing to do with lack of match play. I just think there are other factors.
Including: Davidovich has phenomenal abilities and I hope he starts putting the pieces together more consistently, because he can move the needle at his best.
A showstopping performance by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeats World No.1 Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 in Monte-Carlo. https://t.co/tWFt1sM99A
Interesting no one talks about Davidovich Fokina he鈥檚 22 been top 50 for a few years.
I love Davidovich Fokina because he wears his heart on his sleeve, but boy is it a rollercoaster. Currently wandering around like he's lost the match after cutting his hand on a pretty needless dive.
He is still 6-3 4-4 up on the GOAT. Someone should tell him.
#RolexMCMasters
Novak Djokovic moves on to the Serbia Open, keeps hold of the World No. 1 spot for now
As much as Novak Djokovic will be disappointed with the early loss in Monte-Carlo, the World No. 1 does not have much time to dwell on it. The Serb will be in action next week at the Serbia Open, where he will be attempting to win his third title in front of his home fans.
Despite the loss, Djokovic will increase his lead as No. 1 over Medvedev -- both next Monday and a week later as Daniil drops more points than Novak at both Monte Carlo and Barcelona/Belgrade.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is still ranked World No. 1. He was defending fewer points than Daniil Medvedev in Monte-Carlo, and with the Russian having pulled out of the event, Djokovic will remain at the summit of the rankings.
Also Check Out :-Monte Carlo Masters 2022 Results