'Novak Djokovic has gone to another elevation', says expert

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has admitted that playing Rafael Nadal on clay stands out for him as he still remembers the 2013 Monte Carlo Masters final well and an impressive win over the record 13-time Open champion. France. In 2013, Nadal came to Monte Carlo determined to win his ninth consecutive title at the tournament.

After losing the Monte Carlo finals in 2009 and 2012, Djokovic was determined to go one step further in 2012. Djokovic and Nadal met in the 2013 Monte Carlo Masters final and Djokovic put in an impressive performance to beat the Spaniard 6-2, 7-6(1) to win his first Monte Carlo title.

"Yes, those matches against Rafa on clay have always stood out. I think the 2013 final that I won against him in straight sets was one of the best I've ever played on clay, against him obviously he's been winning every court." Djokovic, who captured his second and last Monte Carlo title in 2015, is hoping to have a good week and win his first Monte Carlo title of the season.

“Clay court is the surface I grew up on in Serbia and I played many years only on that surface really. Historically, it hasn't been my most successful surface, but I've had great success on clay. [The] Roland Garros win last year is still fresh in my memory, so I try to use that as inspiration to start the clay court season [in the] best way possible," Djokovic said.

“I understand that I probably won't be at my best at the start of this week. I'm still testing my engine, if you will, and building my game, so obviously it's going to take some time, a few matches to really get into the groove and find the competitive play that I really need."

Nole is currently nursing a hamstring strain

Brad Gilbert feels Novak Djokovic, who is "getting better at 35," will be the man to beat in 2023.

"I think that it's definitely going to be Djoker vs everyone else this year," Brad Gilbert said on the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast. "If I had to set an over-under, I'd say two-and-a-half Slams for him. He's getting better at 35.

But now, Djoker, I believe, has gone to another elevation where he's making these adjustments in his game to the Tsitsipas's, to the Alcaraz's, to all the young players that are pushing him. That is probably in some sense going to add time on his game."