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Djokovic motivated by Miami near-miss

Novak Djokovic failed to win his 100th ATP Tour-level title at the Miami Open, but his run to the final has provided extra motivation.

Novak Djokovic's near-miss at the Miami Open has only served up more motivation ahead of his bid to win the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Djokovic lost in straight sets to teenager Jakub Mensik in a rain-delayed final in Miami last week.

The 37-year-old had been hoping to win his 100th ATP Tour-level trophy and become the third player, after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, to hit that milestone.

Yet his wait for a first title since he won gold at the Paris Olympics rolled on, and he will now hope to get over the line in Monte Carlo.

However, after reaching his first final of the season, Djokovic is not lacking in motivation.

"There is no doubt that it has become more difficult throughout my career but the performances in Miami, when I am playing that way, it gives me more inspiration to keep going," Djokovic said, as quoted by the ATP's official website.

"It just feels great on the court when you are striking the ball well and winning matches.

"Obviously, when you start losing early you have more questions and inner voices, which are bringing doubts about whether you should keep going.

"I am glad in Miami I found that joy on the court and performance levels, so let's see if I can carry that into clay. 

"It is a different surface and I have not had much time to get used to this tournament so my expectations are not that high.

"It gives me a great deal of encouragement and positivity reflecting on my game and how I played in Miami."

Djokovic will be making an 18th main draw appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the outright most of any player at the event in the Open Era.

The Serbian has won the title twice in Monte Carlo, where he holds a 41-15 win-loss record, though the last of those triumphs came back in 2015.

Andy Murray was part of Djokovic's team for the Sunshine Swing, as he was at the Australian Open, but the Scot will not be in the coaching box this time around.

"It was never part of the agreement to work with Andy this week," Djokovic said, with Murray set to return in time for the Madrid Open later this month.

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