‘Feeling is terrible’ - Novak Djokovic responds to ‘bad’ Lorenzo Musetti Monte Carlo Masters last-16 defeat

Lorenzo Musetti fought back from a set down to beat Novak Djokovic 4-6 7-5 6-4 in the Monte Carlo Masters last 16, and the world No. 1 was unhappy with his performance. Djokovic led after the opening set and took a 4-2 lead in the second before the Italian clawed a game back.

Ad The next game was when the match really began to shift in the 21-year-old’s favour. ATP Monte CarloDjokovic beaten in fiery battle with stubborn Musetti in Monte CarloAN HOUR AGO Djokovic was involved in an altercation with umpire Aurelie Tourte over a point that went Musetti’s way, before the Italian went on to close out the set in a stunning comeback. Hawk-Eye replays proved Djokovic was right about the call, and that Musetti’s effort had gone long, but the technology isn’t used at clay-court events.

Djokovic, not best pleased, got on with the task in hand but clearly wasn’t at his most clinical, as Musetti sealed the victory. After the match, Djokovic said he «wasn't in the mood to speak,” but did lend a few words of congratulations for his opponent, who had earned the biggest win of his career. »Well, [the] feeling is terrible after playing like this, honestly, but congrats to him,” Djokovic said.

“He stayed tough in important moments, and that's it. That's all I can say. Good luck to him." Djokovic went on to suggest the result was not the end of the world, but nonetheless leaves a sour taste as his wait for a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title goes on.

He said: «I don't think it's catastrophic, but my feeling is bad right now because I lost the match. “That's all. Congrats to my opponent.