Novak Djokovic shares practice footage from Monte Carlo Masters ahead of return

Novak Djokovic is already on the court at the Monte Carlo Masters a week before he makes his return to competition at the tournament. The world No 1 has played just one event so far this year as a result of his unvaccinated status and will be back in action at the first Masters 1000 of the clay season next week.

Djokovic has shared footage of his first practice session at the Monte Carlo Country Club ahead of next week's Masters 1000 at the venue. The world No 1 resides in Monaco and knows the club well, training there throughout the year.

He will make his long-awaited tennis return at the tournament, which begins next Sunday, after crashing out of the Dubai Championships during the quarter-final stage to qualifier Jiri Vesely back in February. Dubai was the Serb's first event of the season after he was deported from Australia ahead of the Grand Slam in January, and he has not played since due to his unvaccinated status keeping him out of Indian Wells and Miami.

The 34-year-old was originally set to miss Monte Carlo when France introduced vaccine pass rules that meant all people entering sports venues, including athletes themselves, had to be fully vaccinated even if outdoors. But the restrictions were dropped in mid-March, meaning both the French Open and Monte Carlo Masters were added back into his 2022 calendar.

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Djokovic will be hoping to do better at the Monte Carlo Masters this year after crashing out to Dan Evans in a shock round-of-16 loss in 2021. The 20-time Major champion will also be gunning to hold onto his world No 1 spot with Daniil Medvedev just 10 points behind him in the rankings.

Although the 26-year-old will miss the next