Novak Djokovic makes triumphant return to action, solves Safiullin in Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic began his quest for a Triple Golden Career Masters crown in dominant fashion at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, dismissing Roman Safiullin, 6-1, 6-2 to win his first match since withdrawing from the Miami Open in March.

"I'm very pleased," the 24-time Grand Slam champion said on court after the match. "I think even the games that I lost, I had break points, so it was a really good first match for the start of the clay season, which has always been for me a little bit up and down.

"Last year, as well, I started off well at this tournament, and then second match I lost. I hope to maintain this rhythm. I have a day tomorrow of training, of practice, and I hope to come out in a few days time with the same attitude and same quality of tennis."

Djokovic, who has won every Masters 1000 three times except Monte Carlo, shook off an underwhelming Sunshine Swing with a seamless transition from hard courts to clay, sweeping aside the unseeded Safiullin in one hour and nine minutes on Court Rainier III.

The world No. 1 arrived in Monte Carlo having ceded ground to younger rivals like Jannik Sinner, who shocked the Serb at the Australian Open, and Carlos Alcaraz, who rounded into form at the BNP Paribas Open while Djokovic exited in the third round to lucky loser Luca Nardi.

The shocking loss at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden was followed by Djokovic’s decision to sit out the second Masters 1000 of the season in Miami, promising to come back strong for the clay-court season even as he made further headlines by parting with longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic.

Strong proved to be an understatement for the 36-year-old Djokovic, who was up against a heavy hitter in Safiullin. Coming off a straight-sets win over Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar, Safiullin, who earned a career-high ranking of No. 36 in January, looked to be the type of player who could challenge a rusty Djokovic, but the ageless world No. 1—who officially became the oldest man to top the ATP rankings, topping Roger Federer's record—showed zero rust on Tuesday.

"It's nice, it's great," Djokovic said, chuckling at his new record. "I met Bopanna yesterday, who is the oldest doubes No. 1 in history. He said we have a combined age of 80. Now, he contributes more to the 80 than I do, but it's fun, to still be able to compete at the highest level and be No. 1 in the world at the age of almost 37. It’s not something I was honestly dreaming of or planning on or thinking would become reality. I think all the work and dedication to the sport in the end, to my body and staying fit, it's all paying off. I'm able to maintain the longevity and extend the career for years and years."

Speeding through the first four games, Djokovic threatened a triple break before Safiullin was able to get on the board, but the hold proved a blip for the two-time Monte Carlo champion, reeling off the final eight points of the opening set.

The second set mirrored the first as Djokovic moved ahead 4-1, but while Safiullin fended off more break points to stay within a single break, Djokovic responded with a clean love hold to put himself a game from the finish line.

Returning for the match, he blasted a forehand passing shot to earn two match points, converting the second when Safiullin netted a forehand of his own. In all, Djokovic struck 16 winners to just nine unforced errors, winning 77% of points played behind his first serve.

Djokovic is guaranteed to face another young challenger in the third round, as he takes on the winner of a second-round meeting between Arthur Fils and Lorenzo Musetti.