MONACO (AP) – Top-ranked Novak Djokovic chose to be philosophical after losing in the second round for the first time in three years on Wednesday, calling it “proof that nobody is unbeatable” after surrendering his Monte Carlo Masters title in a shock 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to 55th-ranked Jiri Vesely.
His previous second-round defeat was at the 2013 Madrid Masters to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, a vastly talented shot-maker with a far higher reputation than Vesely, an aspiring Czech player with one career title compared to the 63 for 11-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic.
It was also Djokovic’s first loss in a completed match since November, having retired from a match in February with eye infections. This was his first match of the year on clay.
“There is the proof that nobody is unbeatable,” the Serb said. “I have to move on, it’s already behind me.”
Djokovic saved a match point when he was serving against Vesely in the ninth game. But the Czech, who had never beaten a top-10 player, sealed the win on his second match point in the next game when Djokovic’s forehand landed wide.