Novak Djokovic to overwhelm Monte Carlo rivals for three reasons

Novak Djokovic has an edge over his rivals at this week’s Monte Carlo Masters as he bids to win his third title at the tournament. The world No 1 was given a boost when Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz withdrew, making him the clear favourite for the title. And Djokovic has also admitted that he’s enjoying the luxury of sleeping in his own bed, while he also has extra motivation given his recent disappointing results in Monte Carlo.

Djokovic is playing his first tournament since February after he missed Indian Wells and Miami when US Homeland Security denied his vaccine waiver request. The world No 1 is hoping to start his clay season strong in Monte Carlo, having failed to get beyond the third round in his last two appearances.

A two-time champion in Monaco, the top seed has three things working in his favour this week as he bids to add to his trophy cabinet. Ahead of the tournament, Djokovic has been speaking about his chances and revealed he had extra motivation after some disappointing results in the Principality.

“I have done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” he said ahead of his opening match. “I have not had much success in Monte Carlo in the past two seasons.

Just in
Emma Raducanu has perfect opportunity to bite back at being snubbed [LATEST]

“I haven’t played great tennis here, so I am hoping this year I can start the clay season better than in previous years and build my form.” As well as his extra motivation, Djokovic also has something of a home advantage in Monte Carlo.

The 22-time Major champion has called Monte Carlo his home for years, also having a base in Marbella and in his home of Belgrade, Serbia. While it has been reported that Djokovic and his family have been spending more time in the latter two cities in recent years, he will still get to sleep in his “own bed” this week.

“It is a club I know very well,” Djokovic said of the tournament’s host venue. “Quite a few top players reside in Monaco and use this club as a training base. The club transforms incredibly during the weeks of the tournament, but it is a great feeling to sleep in your own bed.”

Don’t miss…
Inside Andy Murray’s Marbella family holiday as star shares rare pics [RECAP]
World’s richest tennis player can to buy 14 Prem club clubs in one go [FEATURE]
Becker had sleeping pill ‘addiction’ that cost him Wimbledon title [QUOTES]

Counting the site as one of his local clubs, the world No 1 will know the conditions better than his rivals who don’t reside in Monaco. He added: “Being able to have a home feeling of playing in the tournament The atmosphere is amazing, with the club being so intimate and small. It is noisy and great.”

And Djokovic has already had arguably his two biggest threats on the clay eliminated this week. Both Nadal and Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament, with the 36-year-old continuing to recover from an injury he picked up in January.

Nadal said he was not yet “ready” to make his comeback from injury, while Alcaraz suffered issues with his hand and spine after the sunshine swing which forced him to pull out. But the world No 2 is expected to return in Barcelona next week.

Source: Read Full Article