By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 11, 2022
Novak Djokovic finally took the court for the second time this season on Tuesday at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, and promptly fell in three sets to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1.
After the contest the World No.1 admitted that he simply isn’t in good enough shape to grind out wins on the clay. It’s something he plans to fix quickly – Djokovic will take the court again next week on home soil in Belgrade.
“I didn't like the way I felt physically in the third,” he said after falling to 2-2 on the season. “I just ran out of the gas completely. Just couldn't really stay in the rally with him. I mean, if you can't stay in the rally, not feeling your legs on the clay, it's mission impossible.
It’s something he plans to fix quickly – Djokovic, who had his serve broken nine times on Tuesday, will take the court again next week on home soil in Belgrade.
“I don't like that, that kind of feeling I experienced in the third, but, you know, 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.”
Djokovic - It Always Takes Time on Clay
The time to panic is not yet, says Djokovic. The World No.1 stressed that finding his tennis on clay is always a process, even in the seasons when he is playing often. It’s natural that he would be struggling then, in 2022, a season that has seen him barely compete due to his decision to remain unvaccinated.
He was asked by a reporter what he might have done differently on Tuesday, if he had the chance to play the match over again.
“I don't do those "what ifs." It is what it is,” he said. “Obviously disappointing to lose a match and to feel this way on the court. But again, I'm not gonna stop here. I'm going to keep going and hopefully build my form for Roland Garros. You know, that's the big goal of the clay season.”
Djokovic says he typically struggles early in the clay season.
“I knew a few days ago when I spoke to you I knew that it's going to take some time for me to really feel my best on the clay,” he said. “I mean, that's historically always been the case. Never played very well in the opening tournaments of the clay season.
“But it's okay. You know, obviously it is what it is. I have to accept the defeat and keep working.”
A major loss is just a minor setback for Djokovic, who looks forward to the weeks ahead, when he can play more regularly and start showing the type of tennis he is capable of.
“I expected this match to be really tough match, physical battle, and that's what it was,” he said. “Unfortunately I'm on the shorter end of the stick, and my week ends here. I have to try to be optimistic and build, as I said, to Roland Garros and where I want to peak.”