Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis icon with 24 Grand Slam titles, faced a sobering moment at the 2025 Madrid Open, where he suffered a stunning second-round defeat to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi on April 26. The 6-3, 6-4 loss to the world No. 44 marked Djokovic’s third consecutive defeat and his fourth first-round exit in five tournaments this year, a stark contrast to his storied career. As he waved goodbye to the Caja Mágica crowd, questions swirled about whether this could be his final appearance at the tournament he’s won three times. In a candid post-match press conference, Djokovic opened up about his uncertain future in Madrid and the mental toll of his recent struggles, offering a glimpse into a “new reality” that challenges even the greatest champion.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After reaching the Miami Open final, where he fell to Jakub Mensik, he suffered early exits in Monte Carlo to Alejandro Tabilo and now Madrid. His Madrid campaign, his first since 2022, began with a first-round bye but ended abruptly against Arnaldi, a 24-year-old who idolized him growing up. “He’s my idol, he’s always been,” Arnaldi said, admitting he was thrilled just to face Djokovic. The Italian’s blend of defensive scrambling and bold shot-making, including a crucial break in the second set, overwhelmed a Djokovic who committed 32 unforced errors and won only 40 percent of his second-serve points. “I lost to a better player,” Djokovic conceded, acknowledging Arnaldi’s superiority on the day.
The defeat prompted introspection from Djokovic, who has chased a record-extending 100th career title since his 99th at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When asked if this was his last Madrid match, he responded with rare uncertainty: “It could be. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it’s not, but it could be.” His words reflected a mix of resignation and hope, hinting at the possibility of returning in a non-playing capacity, perhaps as a coach or ambassador. “This level of tennis is not where I would like it to be,” he added, describing a season where early exits have become alarmingly frequent.
Djokovic’s struggles are a departure from his two decades of dominance, where he rarely lost opening matches. “For 20 years, I didn’t experience what I’m experiencing in the last 12 months,” he admitted. “It’s a completely different feeling… a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.” Yet, he remains defiant, viewing these setbacks as fuel for future battles, particularly at Grand Slams. “I’m trying to use this as a driving force for the future,” he said, emphasizing Roland Garros, where he’s a three-time champion, as his priority. “I’m not going into Roland Garros as one of the main favorites. Maybe that can help,” he mused, suggesting lower expectations might ease the pressure.
Arnaldi’s victory, his second top-5 win in Madrid after beating Casper Ruud in 2023, was a career-defining moment. “I was just glad that I could play him,” he said, though his aggressive play—highlighted by a break at 4-3 in the second set—showed he aimed to win, not just compete. Djokovic, gracious in defeat, smiled at the net, but the loss stung. His 12-7 season record and winless clay campaign raise concerns as the French Open looms.
The tennis world remains skeptical of counting Djokovic out. Coco Gauff, a Roland Garros finalist, called him “the greatest tennis player” and a favorite “no matter what,” citing his ability to thrive when underestimated. Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom Djokovic defeated in the 2021 Paris final, urged caution: “With Novak, you never know.” As Djokovic prepares for Rome and Roland Garros, his Madrid exit underscores a career crossroads. Whether he returns to the Caja Mágica as a player or in another role, his legacy endures, but this “new reality” tests his resilience like never before.