Novak Djokovic’s return to the tennis court did not go exactly as planned.
The world No. 1 tennis player competed in his first match in nearly seven weeks at the Monte-Carlo Masters tournament on Tuesday and was shockingly defeated by 22-year-old Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Fokina broke Djokovic’s serve nine times, according to the New York Times.
Djokovic has not played since Feb. 25, when he was defeated in Dubai by the unranked Jiri Vesely. He was unable to play at Indian Wells or the Miami Open due to the fact that he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.
His vaccination status caused him to be deported from Australia in the middle of the Australian Open, where he was unable to take the lead in all-time Grand Slam titles. Rafael Nadal did so instead, with his 21st – having previously been tied with Djokovic.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain celebrates against Novak Djokovic Getty ImagesEarlier this week, former tennis pro Marcelo Rios – also a previous world No. 1 – called Djokovic the “king of stupidity” due to his vaccine stance.
