Novak Djokovic apologises to crowd following 'horrible' second-round exit to Alejandro Tabilo at Monte Carlo Masters
Updated 09/04/2025 at 21:53 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic has said he was not surprised by his "horrible" performance during his second-round Monte Carlo Masters defeat to Alejandro Tabilo. The Serb was beaten in straight sets by the world No. 32 and apologised after the match to the "people who had to witness this". Despite his run to the final of the Miami Open at the end of March, Djokovic admitted he had expected to "play this way".
Novak Djokovic, Monte Carlo 2025
Image credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic has apologised to the crowd who watched his "horrible" straight-sets defeat against Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters.
After getting a first-round bye, the 37-year-old was beaten 6-3 6-4 by the Chilean and his wait for a 100th ATP Tour singles title goes on.
Despite reaching his first final of the season at the Miami Open at the end of March, the world No. 5 was not surprised by the outcome.
"I was hoping it was not going to happen. But it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way," Djokovic said in his news conference after the match.
"Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way. Just sorry for all the people who had to witness this."
When asked if he had an explanation for his level, he said: "I don’t know. I don’t have it. I have it and I don’t have it. I don’t really care."
He added: "I knew I’m probably going to play pretty bad, but this bad, I didn’t expect."
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'The worst day' - Djokovic reacts to 'horrible' defeat to Tabilo in Monte Carlo
Video credit: SNTV
The two-time Monte Carlo champion, who was without coach Andy Murray at the clay-court event, committed 29 unforced errors throughout the match.
His opponent Tabilo will now play Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16 following the Bulgarian's 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory over Valentin Vacherot.
"I was ready for him to come out and almost want to kill me," Tabilo said on the Tennis Channel after his famous win.
"I started off really solid, just trying to be aggressive. I tried to hold him back as well as possible. Slowly it started working and I feel like I made him a little bit uncomfortable in some situations, which was great for those pressure moments."
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Djokovic had been in decent form coming into the tournament following his run to the final in Miami, but was unable to carry his quality from the hard courts to the clay.
Monte Carlo was the first time Djokovic had competed on clay since clinching Olympic gold in Paris last summer.
That was held at Roland-Garros, where the French Open will get commence on May 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
When he returns there next month, Djokovic will be in the hunt for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season, inluding the French Open, on TNT Sports and discovery+
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