In a seismic upset at the 2025 Madrid Open, Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi delivered the performance of his career, toppling tennis titan Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the second round on Saturday, April 26. The 24-year-old, ranked No. 44 in the world, outplayed the 24-time Grand Slam champion in a match that lasted just over an hour and 41 minutes, sending shockwaves through the Caja Mágica and raising questions about Djokovic’s form ahead of the French Open. Arnaldi’s victory, his second against a top-five player, marked a defining moment for the rising star, who admitted to battling nerves against his childhood idol. “At the start I was just trying to not s*** in my pants, to be honest,” Arnaldi quipped, reflecting on the daunting task of facing Djokovic.
The match began with a surreal prelude, as a two-legged robot paraded onto the Manolo Santana Stadium court to deliver balls, briefly delaying the players’ entrance. Once the action started, Arnaldi seized the initiative, breaking Djokovic’s serve to take a 2-0 lead in the first set. Though Djokovic clawed back to 2-1, Arnaldi’s relentless baseline aggression and athletic court coverage kept the Serbian on the defensive. The Italian broke again in the eighth game, clinching the first set 6-3 in just over 30 minutes. His 21 winners and a mere 18 unforced errors contrasted sharply with Djokovic’s uncharacteristic 32 unforced errors, signaling a rare off-day for the three-time Madrid champion.
In the second set, Djokovic showed flashes of his trademark resilience, earning three break points to level the score. However, Arnaldi’s composure shone through as he saved his serve in a critical 4-3 game, fending off Djokovic’s comeback attempt. “He’s my idol, he’s always been,” Arnaldi said, revealing the emotional weight of the moment. “I was just glad that I could play him because I never played him, I just practised once with him. So playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me.” The Italian sealed the match on his second match point, raising his arms to the roaring crowd before scribbling “OMG” on the camera lens, a fitting expression of his disbelief.
Djokovic, who received a first-round bye as the fourth seed, appeared listless, struggling to find rhythm on the high-altitude clay courts of Madrid. His defeat marked his third consecutive loss, following early exits to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final and Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo. The 37-year-old, still chasing a 100th career title, admitted his struggles, stating, “My level of tennis is not where I would like it to be.” Reflecting on his future, he hinted at uncertainty about returning to Madrid, saying, “It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player.” These comments sparked speculation about the twilight of his storied career, especially as younger players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz continue to dominate.
For Arnaldi, the victory was deeply personal. As a schoolboy, he would sneakily watch Djokovic’s matches on his phone under his desk, idolizing the Serbian’s relentless pursuit of greatness. Now, facing his hero, Arnaldi showcased an all-court game that belied his ranking, blending powerful groundstrokes with deft touch at the net. His triumph over Djokovic, coupled with his earlier win against Borna Coric in the first round (4-6, 6-4, 7-5), signals his growing prowess on clay. Arnaldi now advances to face Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in the third round, following Dzumhur’s comeback victory over Sebastian Baez (1-6, 6-1, 6-2).
The match also highlighted the shifting tides in men’s tennis. Djokovic, who won three of four majors in 2023, has yet to claim a title in 2025, with his 99th career title coming at the Paris Olympics in August 2024. Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have reached the 100-title milestone, a goal that remains elusive for the Serbian. Meanwhile, Arnaldi’s breakthrough underscores the rise of Italy’s new generation, following in the footsteps of Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.
Despite the loss, Djokovic’s competitive spirit flickered in moments of brilliance, such as when he chased down a seemingly lost ball to win an improbable point, cupping his ear to rally the crowd. Yet, it was Arnaldi’s day, as he capitalized on Djokovic’s errors and maintained his focus under pressure. Posts on X captured the electric atmosphere, with fans marveling at Arnaldi’s “athleticism and court coverage” and declaring the state of men’s tennis “insane” given the upset.
As Djokovic shifts his focus to the Italian Open in Rome, Arnaldi’s star continues to rise. His candid post-match reflections and fearless performance against a legend have endeared him to fans, marking him as a player to watch in the clay-court season. For now, the Madrid Open belongs to the young Italian, whose dreamlike victory over his idol will echo long after the clay dust settles.
Leave a Reply