Djokovic says Nadal withdrawing gives other players a chance

Rafael Nadal has been dealing with injuries since last year. He decided not to participate in the Monte Carlo Masters for the same reason. Meanwhile, No. 1 Novak Djokovic will have a chance to perform better at the tournament than he has in the past.

Djokovic praises Nadal

Djokovic had nothing but positive things to say about his rival, Nadal, but admitted that his absence will allow other players the opportunity to win the title instead.

“Of course, in one way it’s a loss for the tournament and for tennis in general, because he’s by far the most successful clay court tennis player of all time,” said Djokovic. “We know how many times he has won Monaco and all the other events we played. But on the other hand, it’s an opportunity, I think, for for all of us others, when he’s not there to try to go far and grab a title.”

Djokovic has played 48 matches at Monte Carlo, but only won 35 - his worst Masters event ever. This year, he goes into the tournament having not played in a competition in over a month. He said he chose to play in this event in particular so that he can try to improve his results.

Not just Nadal, but Carlos Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime also withdrew from the tournament.

Alcaraz is 18-2 for the season and just coming off of an Indian Wells title and semifinal in Miami.

“The way he has been playing recently, but also in the last year and a half, he has been one of the best players in the world, on any surface,” said Djokovic of the 22-year-old Spaniard. “He has proven that he can win. Grand Slam, he won on hard court, where probably most of the people thought that he’s going to win his first Slam on clay. So that tells you how complete of a player he is.”