By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The Monte-Carlo Nation Membership is Novak Djokovic’s house coaching base.
The world No. 1’s red-clay return wasn’t precisely a stroll on a welcome mat at the moment.
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Enjoying his first match since March third and first clay-court match because the Roland Garros quarterfinals final June, Djokovic defeated tough lefty qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(5), 6-2 in an entertaining Monte-Carlo opener.
Dealing with an opponent he had by no means seen earlier than on a windy day, Djokovic mentioned afterward his hardest check was adapting to dust after a season on exhausting courts.
“Clay floor for me is essentially the most difficult floor to adapt, , to get into the rhythm,” Djokovic instructed the media in Monte-Carlo. “Traditionally, I imply, all through my profession I wanted one,wo weeks of tournaments to essentially begin to play the best way I need to play.”
Regardless of three weeks of coaching on the dust, Djokovic mentioned the adrenaline of enjoying an actual match earlier than a packed crowd, mixed with unpredictable situations, may be difficult.
“Regardless that I skilled for 3 weeks and I felt good enjoying observe factors, however, , it is totally different if you play a match, particularly, , at the moment was fairly windy on the court docket so not straightforward to seek out the rhythm, to have the ball proper, the ball toss, and enjoying a lefty, enjoying somebody that has not a lot to lose,” Djokovic mentioned. “All this stuff are enjoying a think about the best way you are feeling on the court docket. I am actually glad I overcome step one, as a result of I hope issues might be higher and simpler from this level onwards.”
The 2-time Monte-Carlo champion will proceed his quest to change into the oldest champion in match historical past as he takes on an Italian opponent, both Lorenzo Musetti, who as soon as pushed the 35-year-old Serbian to 5 units at Roland Garros, or qualifier Luca Nardi subsequent.Â
Djokovic mentioned what he wants most is extra match play.
“After all that was my mentality all through my whole profession to at all times get higher yearly, each time I might step out on the court docket, to have the precise targets and the precise objectives to work on sure issues which are going to enhance my sport, I suppose, and the best way I really feel on the court docket,” Djokovic mentioned. “However, , with clay it is simply totally different than different surfaces. It takes barely extra. Match play is what I want.
“Apply factors is one thing that helps, however nothing helps as enjoying an official match. In order that’s why I am hoping I can have as many matches as attainable this week.”
Photograph credit score: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
