CNN
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has stated he is able to put a tough begin to the 12 months behind him as he prepares to kick-off his clay court docket season on the Monte Carlo Masters this week.
Djokovic is about to play simply his second event of the 12 months in Monte Carlo and first since he reached the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.
That got here after he was deported from Australia forward of the Australian Open having arrived within the nation unvaccinated in opposition to Covid-19.
“The final 4, 5 months have been actually difficult for me mentally and emotionally, however right here I’m. I attempt to depart all of that behind me and transfer on,” Djokovic informed reporters on Sunday.
The 34-year-old will face world No. 46 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Tuesday as he begins preparation to defend his French Open subsequent month.
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In February, Djokovic misplaced his world No. 1 spot to Daniil Medvedev, however the 20-time grand slam champion returned to the highest of the rankings three weeks later after Medvedev’s second-round loss to Gael Monfils at Indian Wells.
“You need to cope with the whole lot that most likely has been dormant inside and is possibly ready to come back out,” Djokovic stated as he mirrored on the Australian Open debacle.
“I’m making an attempt to cope with it each day or weekly foundation, no matter. If one thing surfaces, I acknowledge it, however I transfer on.
“It’s not one thing that’s bothering me each day so to say, I don’t really feel prefer it has left big scars on me that I’m unable to coach or take part in tournaments or dwell my life, removed from that.
“However it has undoubtedly been a really difficult few months and one thing I’ve by no means skilled earlier than. So I’ll attempt to use that as a gasoline for what’s arising.”
In Monaco, a spot he has referred to as house for the previous 10 years, Djokovic faces the prospect of a quarterfinal matchup in opposition to 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who lately grew to become the youngest Miami Open males’s champion within the event’s historical past.
Additionally competing in Monte Carlo this week are world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and world No. 5 and defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
