Novak Djokovic’s highly anticipated return to clay court tennis didn’t go as planned in Monte Carlo.
The 37-year-old Serbian star suffered a straight-set defeat at the hands of Alejandro Tabilo, losing 6-3, 6-4 in what he described as a “horrible” performance.
Djokovic, known for his resilience and ability to bounce back, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the match, apologizing to the spectators for the underwhelming display.
Djokovic’s Frustration with His Performance
In his first match on clay this season, Djokovic seemed clearly frustrated with his lackluster play. When asked to comment on his performance, he didn’t sugarcoat it.
“It was more like the worst day,” he admitted, acknowledging that he had expected a tough match but never anticipated performing this poorly.
His frustration was palpable as he explained the feeling of disappointment: “I don’t know.
Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that had to witness this.”
No Clear Explanation for the Loss
When pressed further about what went wrong, Djokovic seemed almost defeated by his inability to explain his performance.
“I don’t know. I don’t have it. I have it and I don’t have it. I don’t really care,” he replied, offering little insight into what went wrong on the court.
Despite typically being open with the media, this time Djokovic’s response was short, perhaps signaling how deeply the loss affected him.
Eye Infection and Arm Issues Don’t Seem to Help
Before the Monte Carlo tournament, Djokovic had spoken about his low expectations, largely due to the change in surface from hard courts to clay and his limited preparation.
He also dealt with some physical issues, including an eye infection and a minor arm complaint.
However, he reassured fans that the arm issue was minor and that the eye infection was no longer an issue.
“There’s no injury,” he clarified, trying to put any speculation to rest.
Low Expectations Don’t Make the Loss Easier to Accept
Though Djokovic admitted that he had low expectations going into the match, he seemed genuinely shaken by how little resistance he could offer against a player like Tabilo, who had struggled in 2025, winning only three matches before Monte Carlo.
“I expected myself at least to have put up a decent performance,” Djokovic said. “Not like this. It was horrible.”
Looking Ahead: Roland Garros Remains the Focus
Despite the tough loss, Djokovic remains focused on his main goal for the season—winning the French Open.
With 24 Grand Slam titles already to his name, it’s understandable that Djokovic’s motivation for smaller events might be waning, but he’s clear about what’s next: “Roland Garros, that’s it,” he said, narrowing his focus to the next big challenge.
Tabilo’s Surprising Success Against Djokovic
This defeat marked the second time in as many years that Alejandro Tabilo has stunned Djokovic on clay.
After a similar upset in Rome last year, the Chilean now joins an exclusive list of players with a winning record against Djokovic across at least two meetings.
At just 27 years old, Tabilo’s victory in Monte Carlo solidifies his place in tennis history, making him just the seventh player ever to hold such a record over the Serbian legend.
In the wake of this setback, Djokovic will need to regroup quickly as he sets his sights on the French Open, where his true challenge for the season awaits.