After missing the Miami Open, Novak Djokovic is back at the Monte-Carlo Masters in an attempt to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 domination. Alcaraz has withdrew from the tournament.
When Djokovic comes back, will the “changing of the guard” end?
After two decades of domination by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, there is finally talk of a change in leadership in men’s tennis.
Jannik Sinner, 22, won the Miami Open in March after winning his first Grand Slam event at the Australian Open, and 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, a two-time Slam champion, took home the trophy at Indian Wells.
Alcaraz and Nadal step away
Due to his ongoing injury issues, Rafael Nadal formally declared himself out of the Monte-Carlo Masters last Thursday.
Nineteen years ago, Rafael Nadal won his first ATP Masters 1000 championship at Monte Carlo. He would go on to win the tournament eleven times total, including eight times in a row from 2005 to 2012.
The Spaniard last won in Monte Carlo in 2018, having missed the competition the previous two years due to injury.
After missing a year of competition due to a hip flexor ailment that finally necessitated surgery, the 22-time Grand Slam champion returned to competition in January at the Brisbane International. But after suffering a back injury that kept him out of the Australian Open due to a muscle rupture, he hasn’t been seen since.
“From a sports standpoint, these are challenging times over me. Regretfully, I will not be participating in the Monte Carlo event. Nadal, who is anticipated to retire following the 2024 season, said on X, “My body just won’t let it.”
“I can only accept the current state of affairs and make an effort to focus on the near future while holding onto hope and the desire to give myself another chance at things to become better.”
Alcaraz, a fellow countryman, withdrew from the competition on Tuesday as well because of a forearm injury.
After securing a first-round bye, Alcaraz—recently overtaken as the world’s No. 2 Sinner—was scheduled to take on Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.
The Spaniard issued the following statement on X: “I have been working in Monte Carlo and trying to recover from an injured pronator teres in my right arm until the last minute, but it was not feasible and I cannot participate!
“I was eager to play, really eager. I’ll see you in the next year.
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