Novak Djokovic on Monte Carlo return: I won't be at my best but I’m motivated to beat the young guys

Novak Djokovic admits it could take a few matches to “get in the groove” on clay as the world No 1 prepares for his return to the ATP Tour. The Serbian is playing just his second tournament of the season this week when turning out at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

Ad/> The ATP 1000 event kickstarts Djokovic’s bid to defend his French Open title, and a potential meeting with Carlos Alcaraz in the Monto Carlo quarters could await. Roland-Garros'Positive for him' — Why Evert believes Nadal injury time off is 'a bonus'08/04/2022 AT 10:14 Djokovic, 34, insists he remains “motivated” to challenge the next crop of players, but added there could be a little rustiness having last played on Tour at the Dubai Tennis Championships in late February.

“I still feel motivated to be on the Tour and compete with young guys and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles,” Djokovic said. “I'm very pleased to be here and Monaco has been home for over 10 years.

Djokovic set for Alcaraz clash at Monte Carlo quarter-finals Clay power rankings: Who can topple Swiatek, Djokovic? 'Novak beats Rafa many times on clay' — Mouratoglou on why Djokovic is 'the best' «I have been eagerly waiting for the moment when I will be out competing again, so this is the best place where I could possibly start. “Clay court is the surface on which I grew up in Serbia and played many years only on that surface actually.

»Historically it hasn't been my most successful surface, but I have had some big success on clay. [The] Roland Garros win last year is still fresh in my memory, so I try to use that as an inspiration to kick-start the clay-court