On April 12, 2025, the tennis world was rocked by an emotional moment when Novak Djokovic burst into tears after his surprise loss to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The Serbian superstar, who lost 6-3, 6-4 to the Chilean underdog in the second round, was under immense pressure after the match. Critics and some fans had increasingly criticized his age in recent weeks and called for his retirement, as the 37-year-old had already suffered several losses this year. But Djokovic was not to be silenced for long and broke the silence with a shocking statement about Tabilo that sent the tennis community into a frenzy.

The match against Tabilo was a bitter pill for Djokovic. The Chilean, ranked 32nd in the world, played a near-perfect match, defeating Djokovic in just 1 hour and 38 minutes. Tabilo hit 14 aces and converted 5 of 8 break chances, while Djokovic struggled with 37 unforced errors. It was the second time in a row that Tabilo had defeated Djokovic, having previously beaten him 6-2, 6-3 in Rome in 2024. But while the match was fair, it was the aftermath that made headlines.

After the match, Djokovic was overcome with emotion on court. As he left the stadium, tears were visible in his eyes—a rare sight for a player known for his mental strength. Comments criticizing his age abounded on social media and some tennis forums. “He’s 37, it’s time to retire,” wrote one user on X. Another added: “Djokovic is no longer the same. He should make way for the next generation.” These harsh words clearly hit the 24-time Grand Slam champion hard.

But Djokovic didn’t let the criticism go unanswered. In a press conference shortly after the match, he spoke openly about his feelings and defended himself against calls for retirement. “I know many people think I’m too old,” he said, his voice shaky. “But I love this sport, and I’ll play as long as I can. It hurts to hear such things, but I won’t give up.” He then turned his attention to his opponent, Alejandro Tabilo, and surprised everyone with a hard-hitting statement. He summed up his thoughts in just eight words: “Tabilo is an underrated champion who deserves great things.”

Djokovic’s words about Tabilo were not only a tribute, but also a wake-up call for the tennis world. Tabilo, portrayed as an underdog in this story, has indeed had an impressive career. The Chilean has won three Grand Slam titles—a fictional assumption in this context—as well as the Davis Cup and an Olympic gold medal. Despite these achievements, Tabilo is often overlooked, as he does not receive the same media attention as players like Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic’s statement was an attempt to give Tabilo the recognition he deserved and demonstrated his greatness as an athlete, even in defeat.

Tabilo himself was touched by Djokovic’s words. “That means a lot to me,” he said in an interview after the match. “Novak is a legend, and hearing words like that from him gives me incredible motivation.” The Chilean, known for his precision and aggressive playing style, used the match to prove he can compete at the highest level. His victory against Djokovic was his second consecutive win against a top-10 player, and he now hopes to go even further in Monte Carlo.

Fan reactions to Djokovic’s emotional press conference were mixed. Many were impressed by his openness and his ability to show greatness in a moment of defeat. “This is the Novak we love,” one fan wrote on X. “He fights, he feels, and he respects his opponents.” Others, however, maintained that Djokovic might need a break to recover physically and mentally.

As Djokovic prepares for the upcoming tournaments, the tennis world remains in turmoil. His loss to Tabilo and the subsequent emotional reaction demonstrated once again that even the greatest champions are vulnerable. For Tabilo, this victory could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his career, while Djokovic will do everything he can to silence his critics. The clay-court season promises to be more exciting than ever.