Tennis News: Novak Djokovic will make his long-awaited return to tennis at the Monte Carlo Masters, where the world No. 1 might face Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz.
With 11-time champion Rafael Nadal recovering from a stress fracture to his rib cage, Djokovic leads the field.
After being deported from Australia for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of the Grand Slam in Melbourne, the Serbian will play only his second tournament of the year in Monte Carlo.
His most recent appearance was in the Dubai Tennis Championships, where he lost to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals.
If he wants to add a third Monte Carlo title to his trophy case, the 20-time Grand Slam champion will have to navigate a difficult path.
Djokovic, who faces Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or American Marcos Giron in the first round, could meet emerging sensation Alcaraz in a thrilling quarter-final at the renowned event, which also includes Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz.
Alcaraz (18-2) won the Miami Open final, capping off a fantastic run at the tournament. It was the biggest triumph of his young career.
The 18-year-victory old’s was his third on the ATP Tour, following victories at the Rio Open in February and Umag in July, when he became the youngest tour-level champion since Kei Nishikori at Delray Beach in 2008.
The fourth seed is Casper Ruud is in the top half of the draw and might face Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Cameron Norrie, who entered the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings for the first time on Monday, will face Tallon Griekspoor or Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round, while Dan Evans will face 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the defending champion, will begin his title defence against Italian former champion Fabio Fognini or Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the bottom half of the draw.
Due to Covid and injury, Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini have both been ruled out of the competition.
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