Novak Djokovic has revealed he’s not arriving at the Monte Carlo Masters in peak condition, acknowledging that “some health issues” continue to linger—dampening his expectations for this year’s clay-court showdown.
Currently ranked World No. 5 and seeded third in the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event, Djokovic has his sights set on reclaiming the Monte Carlo crown for the first time since his back-to-back victories in 2013 and 2015. But perhaps more significantly, the Serbian superstar is edging ever closer to a monumental career milestone: his elusive 100th ATP title. He narrowly missed that mark at the Miami Open, where despite an imperious run to the final without dropping a set, he was outgunned by 19-year-old rising star Jakub Mensik, who claimed the title in two tie-break sets: 7-6(4), 7-6(4).
As one of the frontrunners on paper, Djokovic’s name still carries weight among the bookies’ favorites in Monte Carlo. He was a semi-finalist here just last year, proving he can dig deep on the demanding red dirt. However, during a recent interview with SportKlub, the 24-time Grand Slam champion offered a dose of realism about his current form, revealing that an eye infection, picked up during his Miami campaign, has affected his transition to clay.
“I feel great here,” Djokovic began optimistically. “I’ve been based in Monte Carlo for 15 years and I know this club well, I’ve trained on these grounds for so many years.”
The familiarity of the surroundings and years of preparation in Monte Carlo offer him a psychological edge, but Djokovic is pragmatic about his readiness. “When it comes to this tournament, I have a special motivation, and I want to go as far as possible,” he continued. “However, my expectations are lower compared to other tournaments because I didn’t have enough time to prepare for clay and this tournament. I’m still dealing with some health issues from Miami.”
The physical toll of the hard-court season and the transition to clay—a surface that demands supreme endurance, movement, and adaptability—has slowed Djokovic’s rhythm. He admitted that preparation time had been cut short, yet he’s still squeezing the most he can from his current training sessions.
“I’m trying to get the most out of these days, from the preparations and training and to manage to play more than one match, I hope,” he said. “I’m taking it day by day, I’m the type of player who plays better as time goes on and as I play more tournaments on this surface which is quite demanding and different.”
Despite the uncertainty, Djokovic seemed in good spirits as the tournament got underway. On Sunday, he was seen practicing with World No. 3 and fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz—setting up a potential blockbuster final between the two if both navigate their respective draws.
As one of the top eight seeds, Djokovic enjoys a first-round bye, granting him extra recovery time and one less hurdle in the early stages. His campaign will begin in the second round against either Chilean Alejandro Tabilo or three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, both of whom have struggled to find form in the 2025 season.
If the draw unfolds as expected, Djokovic could meet 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the third round—no stranger to clay battles—before a projected quarter-final clash with eighth seed Alex de Minaur, a player known for his relentless pace and fitness.
Djokovic’s pursuit of history may be temporarily clouded by physical setbacks, but with his champion’s mentality and a few wins under his belt, Monte Carlo could still witness something special. Whether or not title No. 100 arrives here, the Serbian’s hunger for success remains as fiery as ever.