Singles draw has been made for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, taking place at the Monte-Carlo Country Club from April 10 until April 17.
Novak is a top seed and has a first-round BYE. The world no.1 will open his 2022 clay-court season campaign against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ATP #45, H2H 2-0), in his first appearance since falling in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quarters to Jiri Vesely.
Novak’s potential opponents in the later stages of the tournament are:
3rd round: Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP, 14), David Goffin (BEL, WC)
Quarter-finals: Carlos Alcaraz (ESP, 8), Taylor Fritz (USA, 10)
Semi-finals: Casper Ruud (NOR, 4), Cameron Norrie (GBR, 7), Hubert Hurkacz (POL, 11)
Alexander Zverev (GER, 2), Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE, 3), Andrey Rublev (RUS, 5), Diego Schwartzman (ARG, 12)… are in opposite half of the draw, and Novak can’t meet them before the final.
Djokovic won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title twice, in 2013 and 2015.
Last year he lost to Daniel Evans in the third round (4-6, 5-7).
This will be Novak’s 15th appearance at the event (35-12 record).
“I’m very pleased to be here and Monaco has been home for over ten years. 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,” Novak said in his pre-tournament press conference.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is a defending champion.
Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
