Singles draw has been made for Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on clay in 2018.
Novak is no.9 seed and will open campaign against fellow Serbian Dusan Lajovic (ATP #90) on Monday. Djokovic won their only previous encounter, three years ago in Doha (6-2, 6-1).
The Serbian star might face either Borna Coric (CRO) or Julien Benneteau (FRA) in round two.
Nole’s potential opponents in the later stages of the tournament are:
3rd round: Dominic Thiem (AUT, 5), Andrey Rublev (RUS)
Quarter-final: Rafael Nadal (ESP, 1), Gilles Simon (FRA, WC)
Semi-final: Grigor Dimitrov (BUL, 4), David Goffin (BEL, 6)
Marin Cilic (CRO, 2), Alexander Zverev (GER, 3), Tomas Berdych (CZE, 12), Fabio Fognini (ITA, 13) … are in the other half of the draw and Novak can’t meet them before the final.
The event begins on Sunday, April 15, and will be played until April 22.
Djokovic won Monte-Carlo Masters title twice, in 2013 and 2015. Last year, he suffered a quarter-final upset at the hands of David Goffin (2-6, 6-3, 5-7).
This will be Novak’s 12th appearance at the Monte Carlo Country Club (30-9 record).
