Novak Djokovic Suffers Shock Defeat to Lorenzo Musetti at Monte Carlo Masters After Umpire Controversy
Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one tennis player, was stunned in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters by Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti. The Serbian led 6-4, 4-2 before Musetti mounted a comeback, breaking Djokovic eight times to secure a career-best victory. However, the match was not without controversy, as chair umpire Aurelie Tourte made a significant error in the second set’s eighth game, recognizing a wrong mark after Musetti’s forehand that landed long. Tourte saw another mark and gave the point to the Italian, despite Djokovic’s protests and clear showings of the correct spot.
Despite his protests, Djokovic went on to lose that game and experienced a break in game nine to fall behind, eventually losing the set 7-5. Musetti went on to secure a single break in the decider following a rain delay to celebrate a notable win. Djokovic struggled with a pain in his right hand, wearing a sleeve and failing to impose his serve or forehand. Lorenzo sprayed fewer errors than Novak and prevailed in the decisive moments to find himself in the last eight.
The second set lasted 20 minutes longer and saw a roller-coaster, with the pair trading nine breaks in 12 games, with Musetti stealing Djokovic’s serve five times to clinch it 7-5 and introduce a decider. The rain sent them off the court in the third set’s third game, and Lorenzo played better when they returned. The Italian created three break chances at 3-3 with a forehand return winner and seized the second after the Serb’s loose forehand for a 4-3 advantage.
However, the chair umpire’s earlier error remained a talking point among fans and commentators. Djokovic’s defeat came after he had criticized the organizers of the Australian Open in February for their handling of the tournament’s quarantine measures. Despite the defeat, Djokovic remains one of the favorites for the upcoming French Open.