Novak Djokovic at Monte-Carlo Masters: Is this the Serb's least successful Masters 1000 tournament?
Novak Djokovic's dominance across the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments regardless of the surface type has been highly talked about on tour. However, there is one place where the Serb has failed to stamp his authority on -- the clay courts of Monte-Carlo.
Djokovic has a record 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles in his career. Even after failing to participate at the Miami Open and Indian Wells for the last four seasons, the Serb has a total of 11 titles combined in the Sunshine Double.
However, at the Monte-Carlo Masters, what the Serb has been able to achieve so far is just two titles, one coming in 2013 where he beat eight-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the final and the other two years later, trouncing Tomas Berdych in the title round.
It is very much a surprise, seeing as the World No. 1 is one of the best players on the surface, even posing a serious threat to Nadal over the years -- something that very few players on tour could pull off.
With just two titles at the Cincinnati Masters for the Serb, one might claim that the 22-time Grand Slam champion's record in Monte-Carlo is not that inferior. However, upon taking a closer look, it is evident that his win percentage at the upcoming Masters 1000 event is lower than his record in Cincinnati.
He has won just 73% of his matches in Monte-Carlo, failing to make it past the third round on five occasions. Meanwhile, with 40 wins out of 52, his win percentage in Cincinnati is 77%.
Novak Djokovic prepares for 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters with training sessions against multiple players
Djokovic, however, will be hopeful of making a deep run at this year's Monte Carlo Masters, with the Serb recently hitting the practice court with Czech player Jiri Lehecka. The Serbian also had a reunion of sorts with Lehecka's mentor Tomas Berdych, the Czech veteran whom he beat in the 2015 Monte-Carlo final.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has also been spotted training with former World No. 2 Alexander Zverev and rising youngster Holger Rune, who beat Djokovic most recently in the final of the 2022 Paris Masters.
Last time around, the Serb suffered an early exit in Monte-Carlo after falling to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in just the second round.
Novak Djokovic's chances of winning Monte-Carlo Masters high after Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz announce withdrawal
With the in-form Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal withdrawing from the Monte-Carlo Masters citing injury reasons, the Serb has a much better chance of winning the title this time around.
Daniil Medvedev has been another player to keep an eye on in recent times. However, the Russian's inefficiency on clay will tilt the scale in favor of the reigning Australian Open champion.
Meanwhile, Djokovic himself has been out of action for more than a month since his semifinal exit at the Dubai Tennis Championships. It is to be seen whether the break from the tour will cost the Serb in terms of form and match fitness.