Novak Djokovic's return in Monte Carlo: Carlos Alcaraz quarter-final, Dan Evans rematch, world No.1 battle

Novak Djokovic will play only his second tournament of the season this week at the Monte Carlo Masters as he looks to belatedly build up match practice in 2022. The world No.1 was unable to play the Australian Open, Indian Wells or Miami Open as he is unvaccinated. However, with Covid-19 regulations loosening around Europe, Djokovic will be hoping that Monte Carlo is the first of several clay events he can play in preparation for the defence of his French Open title on May 22.

Ad/> But it could be a difficult return for Djokovic with a testing draw and a change in his coaching team... ATP Monte CarloDjokovic on Monte Carlo return: I won't be at my best initially16 HOURS AGO Evans, Alcaraz await in tricky draw ‘There’s no place like home’ has not exactly rung true for Djokovic over the last few years in Monte Carlo, where he has resided for much of his career. Djokovic has not made it past the quarter-finals of the tournament since 2015 and last year produced one of his “worst matches” in recent memory as he hit 45 unforced errors in defeat to Dan Evans.

“I felt awful on the court overall, nothing worked,” lamented Djokovic afterwards. Djokovic’s draw this time around is far from straightforward. In the third round he could face a rematch with Evans or a clash with 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, who has given him some problems in recent meetings.

Then Carlos Alcaraz could be lying in wait in the quarter-finals. Djokovic: I won't be at my best initially Wawrinka wondered if he would return from injury Alcaraz has been the standout player from the first quarter of the ATP season along with Rafael Nadal, compiling an 18-2 record and winning his first Masters title in Miami. All the popcorn emojis would be out for a first