'Mission impossible' - Novak Djokovic concedes he ran out of gas in his shock defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Novak Djokovic admitted his lack of match fitness made it ‘mission impossible’ as he ‘collapsed physically’ during a surprise second round exit against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 20-time major winner was featuring in just his second tournament of the 2022 season as a result of his vaccination status and Covid-19 regulations, and he looked way off his imperious best in a 3-6 7-6 (5) 1-6 defeat to the world number 46. Ad/> Djokovic had fought back from a set and a break down to win a tie break and force a decider, but the 34-year-old appeared hampered by fatigue in what turned into a one-sided finale to a two hour and 54-minute rollercoaster of an encounter.

ATP Monte CarloDjokovic stunned by Davidovich in return at Monte Carlo6 HOURS AGO The Serbian world No.1 was broken nine times and made 51 unforced errors in a lacklustre display and he conceded he ran out of steam in his first match since a quarter final defeat to Jiri Vesely in Dubai in February. As it happened: Djokovic stunned on return in Monte Carlo Nadal confirmed to miss Barcelona Open following rib injury Evans progresses to the second round in Monte Carlo “I would like to congratulate Alejandro. He was the better player.

He managed to find a better rhythm I think in the first two sets,” said Djokovic. /> “I didn’t like the way I felt physically in the third set. I just ran out of gas completely.

/> “I don’t like that kind of feeling I experienced. I’m going to look with my team for reasons why that was the case and go back to the drawing board. Hopefully next week will be better in Belgrade.” It was the first time Djokovic has lost his opening match at an event since he was beaten by Marin Klizan in Barcelona in 2018 but he