Clay Court Blues: Ranking Djokovic’s 5 Most Shocking Monte Carlo Meltdowns

Novak Djokovic, a name synonymous with tennis dominance, has surprisingly faced some tough losses at the Monte Carlo Masters. Following his recent defeat to Alejandro Tabilo, which he himself described as “horrible,” it’s time to look back at some of his most unexpected exits from this prestigious clay-court tournament.

5. 2025: Alejandro Tabilo – Second Round

• Result: Lost to Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-4
• Djokovic’s Ranking: 1
• Opponent’s Ranking: 32

In perhaps his worst performance of the 2025 season, Djokovic fell to Tabilo in straight sets. This marked the second time in just under a year that Tabilo had defeated Djokovic, the first being in Rome. Djokovic himself admitted to feeling “horrible” and apologized to the fans for his performance. He committed 29 unforced errors, struggling to control his groundstrokes. Tabilo, on the other hand, played a solid match with 16 winners and 16 unforced errors. This loss was particularly surprising given Djokovic’s recent run to the final in Miami. It also continued a concerning trend for Djokovic, who has suffered early exits in several recent tournaments. Adding insult to injury, Tabilo became only the ninth player ever to win his first two career meetings against Djokovic.

4. 2018: Dominic Thiem – Third Round

• Result: Lost to Dominic Thiem 6-7(2), 6-2, 3-6
• Djokovic’s Ranking: 13
• Opponent’s Ranking: 7

While Thiem was a top player and a clay-court specialist, this loss was still a setback for Djokovic, who was trying to regain his form after elbow surgery. It was a tough three-set battle, with Djokovic showing glimpses of his old self but ultimately unable to overcome Thiem’s powerful game. Djokovic was still on the comeback trail and searching for consistency. This defeat highlighted the challenges he faced in returning to the top of the game.

3. 2017: David Goffin – Quarterfinals

• Result: Lost to David Goffin 2-6, 6-3, 5-7
• Djokovic’s Ranking: 2
• Opponent’s Ranking: 13

Djokovic, then the world number two, suffered a surprising defeat to Goffin in the quarterfinals. After a dominant first set, Djokovic lost his way, allowing Goffin to fight back and secure the victory in a tight third set. This loss was unexpected, as Djokovic was considered a strong contender for the title. It raised questions about his form and motivation early in the clay-court season. Despite flashes of brilliance, Djokovic couldn’t maintain his level throughout the match, contributing to the upset.

2. 2016: Jiri Vesely – Second Round

• Result: Lost to Jiri Vesely 4-6, 6-2, 4-6
• Djokovic’s Ranking: 1
• Opponent’s Ranking: 55

This defeat was a major shock, as Djokovic was at the peak of his powers and had won the previous four Grand Slam tournaments. Vesely, a relatively unheralded player, played inspired tennis to upset the world number one in three sets. It was Djokovic’s first loss in a completed match against a player ranked outside the top 50 in six years. Djokovic looked out of sorts and struggled to find his rhythm. This loss was a stark reminder that even the best players are vulnerable to upsets.

1. 2013: Quarter Finals

• Result: Lost to Juan Monaco 6-4, 2-6, 6-7
• Djokovic’s Ranking: 1
• Opponent’s Ranking: 21

Djokovic, the top seed and reigning Australian Open champion, was stunned by Monaco in a thrilling three-set match. Monaco, known for his solid baseline game, managed to outlast Djokovic in a tense final set tiebreaker. This defeat was particularly surprising because Djokovic had been in excellent form leading up to the tournament.

While clay may be Djokovic’s “least successful” surface, his win percentage is still remarkably high at 80.6%. However, these defeats at Monte Carlo serve as reminders that even the greatest players can have off days, and that no victory is guaranteed. They also highlight the unique challenges of clay-court tennis, where consistency, patience, and mental fortitude are just as important as power and athleticism.