Novak Djokovic apologizes for his “worst day” after Monte Carlo defeat, shifts focus to Roland Garros

MONTE CARLO, Monaco—For the second time in 11 months at an ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event, Novak Djokovic was eliminated by left-hander Alejandro Tabilo.

Following his 6-3, 6-4 defeat to the Chilean Wednesday in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters, the 24-time major champion revealed he wasn’t surprised about the outcome of “the worst day.”

Speaking with press, Djokovic stated, “Look, I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I'm going to play this way. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.”

When asked if he could point to a reason for how it all played out, Djokovic responded, “I don't know. I don't have it. I have it and I don't have it. I don't really care.”

The 37-year-old experienced a 6-2, 6-3 third-round loss to Tabilo at last year’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. He came into their latest contest on the back of an encouraging performance at the Miami Open, where he finished runner-up to Jakub Mensik, but downplayed any hope of carrying that momentum through when switching surfaces.

“I knew I'm gonna have a tough opponent and I knew I'm gonna probably play pretty bad. But this bad, I didn't expect,” said the Serbian.

I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I'm going to play this way. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this. Novak Djokovic

Djokovic, of course, is one title away from reaching the centennial mark. On what goals he might have for the European clay-court season, just one event was mentioned.

“Roland Garros,” said the current world No. 5.

Followed up a reporter, “Roland Garros? That's it?”

Affirmed Djokovic with a smile, “That’s it.”