Djokovic’s Monte Carlo Loss: Annacone’s Verdict

Novak Djokovic’s shocking defeat at the Monte Carlo Masters has sent ripples through the tennis world. After his unexpected loss to Alejandro Tabilo, many are questioning the Serbian star’s form and future. However, not everyone is ready to write him off, including Paul Annacone, former coach of Roger Federer. Annacone recently shared his insights, offering an honest assessment of Djokovic’s situation and why he isn’t betting against the tennis legend just yet.

Djokovic’s “Horrible” Performance

Djokovic himself was highly critical of his performance in Monte Carlo. After losing to Tabilo in straight sets, he described his play as “horrible” and apologized to the fans who had to witness it. He admitted that he didn’t have high expectations going into the tournament, especially since it was his first time competing on clay since winning gold at the Paris Olympics in July 2024. Despite this, he was still surprised by how poorly he played, committing 29 unforced errors during the match.

“I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this. It was horrible,” Djokovic said. “I did not have high expectations. I knew I’m going to have a tough opponent and I knew I’m going to probably play pretty bad. But this bad, I didn’t expect.”

Djokovic further lamented, “I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way. I don’t know. [It was] just horrible. A horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.”

This defeat marks another setback in Djokovic’s quest for his 100th ATP singles title. He came close to achieving this milestone at the Miami Open but was defeated by Jakub Mensik in the final. Despite these recent disappointments, Djokovic remains determined to reach this significant achievement.

Annacone’s Perspective: Why Not to Count Djokovic Out

Despite Djokovic’s own harsh self-assessment, Paul Annacone offered a more balanced perspective. Annacone acknowledged the significance of the loss but emphasized that it’s unwise to underestimate a player of Djokovic’s caliber, especially when it comes to Grand Slam events.

Annacone pointed out that Djokovic’s losses tend to be magnified due to his unparalleled success over the years. “He’s won so much for so many years… the great ones tend to make more news when they lose,” Annacone said on Tennis Channel. He suggested that the scrutiny Djokovic faces after a defeat is simply a consequence of his high standards and the expectation that he will always perform at his best.

Annacone also highlighted Djokovic’s ability to peak when it matters most. Even though he may have early exits in some tournaments, he typically elevates his game for the Grand Slams. “A player like Djokovic will have some defeats at this stage of his career but will make himself ready when it matters the most, that is, during the Grand Slam events,” Annacone noted.

Djokovic’s Season So Far

Djokovic’s 2025 season has been somewhat inconsistent by his standards. Before Monte Carlo, his best result was reaching the final of the Miami Open, where he lost to Jakub Mensik. He also had a decent run at the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals. However, he has also experienced some surprising losses, leading to questions about his form and motivation.

Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, Djokovic is still searching for his first title of the season. He has been working with Andy Murray as part of his coaching team since the beginning of the season, following his split with Goran Ivanisevic. While Murray’s presence was expected to bring a fresh perspective, he was absent from Djokovic’s team in Monte Carlo, with Djokovic’s brother Marko filling in as coach.

Djokovic’s Reaction and Future Plans

Following his defeat in Monte Carlo, Djokovic expressed his disappointment but also hinted at his determination to bounce back. He is scheduled to compete at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid next, where he hopes to regain his form and continue his pursuit of his 100th title.

“Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundred titles… It’s a great opportunity. Let’s see what happens,” Djokovic stated.

Conclusion

Novak Djokovic’s early exit at the Monte Carlo Masters was undoubtedly a setback. While his performance was far from his best, it’s important to remember his incredible track record and his ability to rise to the occasion in major tournaments. As Paul Annacone suggests, it would be premature to write off a champion of Djokovic’s stature.

The tennis world will be watching closely to see how Djokovic responds to this defeat and whether he can rediscover his top form as the clay-court season progresses. His quest for a 100th title and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam continues, and it would be unwise to underestimate his determination to achieve these goals.