Djokovic Loses to Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo

The Serbian had a difficult start to the year after being deported from Australia due in January due to unvaccinated status against Covid-19. As a result, he lost his chance to defend the Australian Open title this year. 

Novak Djokovic Struggled to Keep His Pace

Nole has only played three matches in Dubai ahead of the Masters 1000 event in Monaco and in the latest match, struggled to find his form as Spaniard Davidovich Fokina took a 4-1 lead before grabbing the first set in Court Rainier III. He even managed to break the 20-time Grand Slam winner early into the second set and went up 3-0.

Novak Djokovic fought back with an unsteady serve to equalize the match in a nail-biting tiebreak. However, the world number 46 improved his pace in the decider and capitalized on an exhausted Djokovic. He was broken nine times over the match which ended as he found the net. With a disappointing tally of 51 unforced errors, Novak Djokovic couldn't get past Davidovich Fokina. 

Young Star Fokina Was Mentally Prepared

The win registered as a special moment for 22-year-old Davidovich Fokina, "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 work hard to be focused. I had to be prepared for the war," 

As for the out of form Serbian, he admitted to having been exhausted to strike back in the third set. "He was the better player," Djokovic remarked. "I was hanging on the ropes the entire match. I collapsed. I just ran out of gas completely ... If you can't stay in the rally, not feeling your legs on the clay, it's mission impossible." 

Novak Djokovic to Feature in the Upcoming French Open

Novak Djokovic had defeated opponent Davidovich Fokina in straight sets twice last year, in Rome and at the Tokyo Olympics. However, the Serbian had skipped tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami besides the Australian Open as he couldn't travel to the United States due to the increased possibility of exposure to the virus. 

The authorities in France and Monaco have removed most COVID-19 restrictions which would permit unvaccinated people in the countries, where restaurants, sports arenas and other venues would be open for visiting. It implies how Djokovic will be able to play at the French Open, his next goal for the season. "I knew that it's going to take some time for me to really feel my best on the clay," Djokovic quipped. "I have to accept defeat and keep working ... and hopefully build my form for Roland Garros." The French Open will commence on May 22 in Paris.