Novak Djokovic says he is "motivated" to make a better than usual start to the clay-court season in Monte Carlo as he tunes up for a 23rd Grand Slam bid at the French Open.

The Serb is back on court after failing to get a waiver to enter the United States for last month's Indian Wells tournament and Miami Open due to his anti-Covid vaccination stance.

"I hope I will start well, because the last three tournaments in Monte Carlo I have not been very successful," the world number one said on Sunday.

"And I'm also motivated because I didn't play for the past month," added Djokovic, who is due to enter the Monte Carlo Masters fray in the second round against qualifiers American Mackenzie McDonald or Russian Ivan Gakhov.

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