Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2025, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

After Djoke's dismissal from his home tourney, will we need to send the medics to check on @Fiero425

CC: @MargaretMcAleer @Moxie @don_fabio

Oh, I think he cares. He didn't get where he is by not caring. He said he felt horrible about how he played. He said he didn't expect much on clay, yet, but you know he didn't expect to go out first round. He said he didn't have an explanation for how he played. Or he did, and he didn't. THEN he said, "I don't care," which I took to mean he mostly didn't care to explain it to reporters anymore.

I don't know that he wasn't trying hard. He just couldn't find it. As the NYTimes said today, "This year’s defeat to Tabilo...had the air of a player seeking his footing during a change of surface, while balancing a desire to peak at the biggest of events with the slow erosion of consistency that comes with time." He needs some wins and reps for his consistency and his confidence.

FWIW, Jason Goodall and Paul Annacone think that if Novak gets #25, it'll come at Wimbledon, due to the lack of competent players on grass, and the fact that it's basically easier on the body. (Well, not the knees.)

Moxie,

I suggest Novak players a lower clay tournament to get his clay legs, he also said his main focus is RG, he is playing Madrid which to me is a BS clay tournament with high altitude, quite frankly dosent get any player what they need for proper clay, yes he can play Rome after Madrid, honestly I think he has to look more closely at his playing schedule if he wants to 'Peak at RG".

 

[Moxie]

Moxie,

I suggest Novak players a lower clay tournament to get his clay legs, he also said his main focus is RG, he is playing Madrid which to me is a BS clay tournament with high altitude, quite frankly dosent get any player what they need for proper clay, yes he can play Rome after Madrid, honestly I think he has to look more closely at his playing schedule if he wants to 'Peak at RG".

He might consider Munich, which I guess he'd pick over Barcelona, though Barcelona is excellent prep for RG. I think we all agree that Madrid isn't great prep for RG, but he plays well there, and he needs the reps and confidence. Used to be, he didn't need much of either, but that's not longer quite the case. His record this year so far is 12-5. That's not much tennis.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He might consider Munich, which I guess he'd pick over Barcelona, though Barcelona is excellent prep for RG. I think we all agree that Madrid isn't great prep for RG, but he plays well there, and he needs the reps and confidence. Used to be, he didn't need much of either, but that's not longer quite the case. His record this year so far is 12-5. That's not much tennis.

Personally I would not play Madrid, Munich or Barcelona would be a better preparation, then play Rome, before RG
At age 38 he really has to look at his playing schedule, over or under playing before a major can work against you.

 

[Moxie]

Personally I would not play Madrid, Munich or Barcelona would be a better preparation, then play Rome, before RG
At age 38 he really has to look at his playing schedule, over or under playing before a major can work against you.

It's true it's rather a fine calculation for the aging player, how much to play on clay. I'll be curious to see what he opts for, having gone out so early in MC. He did hurt his knee on clay last year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's true it's rather a fine calculation for the aging player, how much to play on clay. I'll be curious to see what he opts for, having gone out so early in MC. He did hurt his knee on clay last year.

At the moment he is still on the entry list for Madrid and Rome.Having a bit of time off may work in his favor, Murray wasnt with him in MC, his brother was, I havent heard if Murray will be attending Madrid and or Rome before RG. I guess we will see.

 

[Moxie]

At the moment he is still on the entry list for Madrid and Rome.Having a bit of time off may work in his favor, Murray wasnt with him in MC, his brother was, I havent heard if Murray will be attending Madrid and or Rome before RG. I guess we will see.

Do we think Murray is having any positive effect for Novak? Or is the sample size too small?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Do we think Murray is having any positive effect for Novak? Or is the sample size too small?

Sample size is too small, I mean what can Murray really offer Novak, apart from the fact they have been good friends over the years, probably good for Novak to have a 'sounding board".in Murray

 

[kskate2]

If he's going out in the R1 every week, he may want to play them all so he can build up the adequate amount of matches. Worst he can do is show up to RG unprepared. The days of playing himself into form are over. There's no telling who he will see in R1-2. I assume he will play his own tourney, but even there he lost before the final last year.

 

[kskate2]

Sample size is too small, I mean what can Murray really offer Novak, apart from the fact they have been good friends over the years, probably good for Novak to have a 'sounding board".in Murray

According to the TC folks, Muzz has him serving more consistently.

 

[Moxie]

According to the TC folks, Muzz has him serving more consistently.

Sometimes. But I thought his serve was pretty good before Jan. 2025.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

According to the TC folks, Muzz has him serving more consistently.

Maybe, still too early to tell, in my opinion, he needs more than a consistent serve at the moment, his game off the ground isnt good by any means

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If he's going out in the R1 every week, he may want to play them all so he can build up the adequate amount of matches. Worst he can do is show up to RG unprepared. The days of playing himself into form are over. There's no telling who he will see in R1-2. I assume he will play his own tourney, but even there he lost before the final last year.

Novak is no spring chicken, at age 38, he could over play before RG and then, he really has to watching his playing schedule on clay of all surfaces, you have to be in top physical condition for starters, even if you get a day off at RG

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Fils d. Rublev 6-2, 6-3

 

[Moxie]

Fils d. Rublev 6-2, 6-3

I only saw the end, but Fils seemed to be playing beautifully! No histrionics from Rublev, that I saw, btw.

Davidovich Fokina was up a break on Draper in the 2nd, also playing with real clarity, and cleanly, but then Draper got the break back. Close here at the end of the 2nd.

 

[Moxie]

Brave Draper gets it to a decider, via TB.

 

[Moxie]

Davidovich Fokina has been up a break two times in the 3rd set, and given it back. And it's still just 4-3, Foki.

 

[Kieran]

Djokovic never did warm up to the conditions, or to Tabilo, so his Monte Carlo is over.

The Buddhist of Monte Carlo levitated past the various mansions until he reached his own, where he consoled himself with a golden pot of ginseng tea..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Having computer woes finally able to post

My Dark Horse Foki played a really great match against Draper winning in 3 sets, Drapers serve, usually solid, went AWOL in the match
Also Alexi Popyrin with a upset against Ruud in 3 sets, I didnt see that coming at all, Ruuds ranking will suffer, losing points as he was in the final last year
I wasnt surprised that Lorenzo defeated Matteo, though I heard Matteo wasnt feeling 100%, I was going to pick him yesterday though I thought Keli would come after me
Carlos seems to have found his clay legs more with an easy win against Altmaier

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Defending champion Tsitsipas easy 61 61 win over Borges

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Giant Killer of Djokovic, Tabilo, wins the 2nd set against Dimitrov 63
Going 3
Not to be today for Tabilo
Dimitrov makes the QFs 63 36 62