Novak Djokovic suffers shocking defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo

In Monaco, Novak Djokovic faced Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters, marking the start of his clay-court season. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, had been looking to cement his legacy by winning his 100th career title, but this ambition was met with unexpected obstacles. He had already lost the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik in March and was dealing with an eye infection that hindered his performance. Adding to the pressure, Djokovic had never lost to Tabilo in their previous match, leading fans to expect a much better showing from the veteran. The match took place amidst critical expectations as Djokovic was enjoying a dominant run on clay, having won ten consecutive matches leading up to his performances in Monte Carlo. However, Tabilo had recently gained momentum by defeating Stan Wawrinka in the first round. In the match, Tabilo translated his confidence into a solid performance against Djokovic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic struggled significantly with unforced errors, amassing a total of 29 by the end of the match. He had attempted to regain his footing late in the second set with two break-point opportunities but was unable to capitalize. Djokovic expressed disappointment with his performance, labeling it 'horrible' and reflecting on his inability to play even close to his expectations. He admitted to having low expectations going into the match but found the reality of his play worse than anticipated. The defeat not only ended his campaign in Monte Carlo but also raised questions about his form leading up to the French Open, which starts on May 25. Djokovic's early exit marked the third time in four tournaments where he lost in the opening match, a surprising trend for a player of his caliber. The Monte Carlo Masters served as an important event in the ATP calendar, being one of the highest-ranked tournaments ahead of the French Open. Following the match, Tabilo advanced to face Grigor Dimitrov in the next round, while Djokovic needed to reassess his strategy and performance ahead of the upcoming tennis season. His aim remains to reclaim his dominance in the sport, particularly as he prepares for the French Open, now burdened by early exits and fluctuating form.