As the tennis world turns its gaze towards the beautiful shores of Monaco, all eyes are on Novak Djokovic, who is poised to kick off his campaign at the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo 2025. The Serbian superstar is on the brink of making history as he seeks his elusive 100th ATP singles title. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is set to face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Djokovic's journey to this moment has been anything but smooth. The 2025 season has seen its fair share of ups and downs for the former world number one. After a promising start in Brisbane, where he reached the quarterfinals, his campaign took a turn for the worse. A muscle tear in the semifinal of the Australian Open forced him to withdraw from the tournament against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set. This injury setback was just the beginning of a series of disappointments.
In Doha, Djokovic faced an early exit at the hands of Italy's Matteo Berrettini, who defeated him with a score of 7-6(4), 6-2. The struggles continued at Indian Wells, where Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp eliminated him in the Round of 64. However, hope flickered at the Miami Open, where Djokovic made it to the final, only to be stunned by 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who claimed victory with a nail-biting scoreline of 7-6(4), 7-6(4).
As Djokovic prepares to take on Tabilo, the stakes are high. Not only is he chasing his 100th title, but he also aims to become the only player in history to win at least three titles at each Masters 1000 event. Currently, Djokovic has won the Monte Carlo tournament twice, in 2013 and 2015, and he has a solid 39-15 win-loss record at this prestigious event. However, he has not reached the finals since 2015, with unexpected defeats to players like David Goffin, Daniil Medvedev, and Casper Ruud marking his recent history in Monaco.
On the other side of the net, Alejandro Tabilo has had a challenging season as well. The Chilean began his year with early exits at the Brisbane International and the ASB Classic, where he lost in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, respectively. Tabilo's struggles continued at the Australian Open and the Argentina Open, where he was eliminated in the first round and Round of 16, respectively. His performance at the Indian Wells saw him win his opening match against Dušan Lajović, but he fell to Taylor Fritz in the Round of 32. In Miami, Tabilo managed a victory against Corentin Moutet in the Round of 64, only to be ousted by Casper Ruud in the following round.
Interestingly, Djokovic and Tabilo have faced each other only once on the ATP Tour, with Tabilo leading their head-to-head record 1-0 after defeating Djokovic in straight sets at the 2024 Italian Open.
Despite Tabilo's previous victory, the odds seem to favor Djokovic, who holds a singles record of 12-5 in 2025 compared to Tabilo's 3-9. Djokovic's experience and skill set place him as the favorite to win this encounter. His ability to counterattack and cover the court effectively has made him a formidable opponent on any surface.
The Monte Carlo Masters marks Djokovic’s 18th appearance at this event, the most by any ATP player. As he steps onto the clay courts of Monaco, the anticipation builds. Fans are eager to see if Djokovic can shake off the inconsistencies of the season and deliver a performance that could lead him closer to that magical 100th title.
Djokovic's historical achievements are noteworthy. He is the only player to have won at least two titles at every Masters 1000 event, a feat he accomplished in 2020 when he secured his second title in Cincinnati. Winning a third title at Monte Carlo would only add to his legacy. The Serbian has amassed a total of 40 Masters 1000 titles throughout his career, with victories in major tournaments such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome, Canada, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris-Bercy.
However, the Monte Carlo event has proven to be a challenging ground for Djokovic. Since his last championship win in 2015, he has faced surprising defeats that have hindered his chances. The memories of past battles against legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal linger, with Djokovic losing two finals to Nadal and winning one in 2013. As he embarks on this new campaign, the question remains: can Djokovic finally break his title drought and secure that coveted 100th ATP singles title?
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome of Djokovic's match against Tabilo. Will the Serbian legend rise to the occasion, or will the young Chilean pull off another upset? As the match approaches, the excitement is palpable, with tennis enthusiasts across the globe holding their breath in anticipation.
In conclusion, Novak Djokovic's quest for his 100th ATP singles title is set to unfold in Monte Carlo, where he faces Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 32. The stakes are high, and the tennis world is ready to witness whether Djokovic can overcome his recent struggles and add another chapter to his storied career.
