Djokovic suffers shock exit as Alcaraz powers through in Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic described his performance as "horrible" after suffering a straight-sets defeat to Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on 10 April 2025. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz produced a dominant comeback to claim his first-ever win at the tournament.

The world number five was far from his best, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Tabilo in a sluggish display that marked a disappointing start to his clay-court season. Djokovic, 37, entered the tournament dealing with an eye infection that had affected him since the Miami semi-finals in late March and admitted beforehand that he did not have "very high" expectations.

Tabilo, ranked 32nd in the world, had also defeated Djokovic on clay in Rome last year and now holds a surprising 2-0 head-to-head record against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic: 'just horrible'

"It was actually more like the worst day at the office," Djokovic said after the match. "Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that had to witness this."

Despite suggestions of fitness issues, Djokovic dismissed those concerns and reiterated that his primary focus remains the French Open. He is scheduled to return at the Madrid Open later this month, his first appearance there since 2022.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to play well, but not this badly," he added. Djokovic has not lifted a trophy since his gold medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has only reached the semi-finals once in Monte Carlo since his last title there in 2015.

Tabilo, who admitted to some early nerves, will face Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16. "It's been a tough year, so a little bit of the nerves were there," said Tabilo. "It was an unreal match."

Alcaraz storms back after slow start

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, overcame a sluggish start to defeat Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 and record his first win at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 21-year-old Spaniard had lost on his only previous appearance in the principality in 2022, but this time responded emphatically after dropping the opening set.

Cerundolo outplayed Alcaraz in the early stages with clever cross-court rallies and capitalised on an early break to take the first set. But from that point, it was all Alcaraz, who dropped just one game across the next two sets and wrapped up the match in an hour and 38 minutes.

"I didn't start well," Alcaraz admitted. "I made a lot of mistakes and let him dominate. I knew I had to change things—play more aggressively, use drop shots, get to the net, and return closer to the baseline."

Alcaraz now moves on to face Germany's Daniel Altmaier, ranked 84th in the world, who defeated veteran Richard Gasquet 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. Gasquet, 38, received a warm farewell from the Monte Carlo crowd, marking his final appearance at the tournament where he debuted as a 15-year-old wild card in 2002.

"I started with Agassi and I'll finish with Alcaraz," said Gasquet. "It's nearly 40 years of tennis evolution—it's enormous."

Fourth seed Casper Ruud, last year's runner-up, breezed past Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-1. Defending champion Andrey Rublev also advanced with a straight-sets win over Gaël Monfils.

Among other seeds progressing to the next round were Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Arthur Fils, and Lorenzo Musetti.