Sport
Novak Djokovic Speaks Up About His Record-Breaking Triumphs and the unique feat he holds over his Spanish rival Nadal
Novak Djokovic had a dismal start to his European clay court season, continuing his rollercoaster 2025 season.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to unseeded Alejandro Tabilo in the first round of the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters, leaving him with a career record of 0-2 against the Chilean. Although Djokovic was coming off a second-place finish at the Miami Open, the 37-year-old has lost a few early round matches this season and has yet to win a championship in 2025.
Djokovic proud of achievement against Nadal on clay
With Rafael Nadal now retired, the Monte-Carlo Masters title could have gone to several other challengers. The legendary Spaniard has won the title an astounding 11 times, including an Open Era record of eight consecutive wins.
It was Djokovic who put a stop to Nadal’s impressive streak, having defeated the Mallorcan in the 2013 edition of the event. In an interview with BB Tennis, Djokovic recalled his victory over Nadal 12 years ago.
“We haven’t talked about that but I remember my first win against him in Monte Carlo,” said Djokovic. “It was in the final of 2013. I played one of my best matches on clay and it came at the right moment because you know it took me years to try to figure out this puzzle and formula for beating Nadal on clay.
“So not many players have succeeded in several years and multiple times playing at different tournaments and I can proudly say that I have managed to do it at the biggest tournaments, including Roland Garros. Nadal on clay was a big mountain to climb.”
Djokovic would win the tournament once more in 2015. However, Nadal was able to recover and win three successive Monte-Carlo Masters titles.
