In a moment that felt scripted for the tennis history books, 24-year-old Italian Matteo Arnaldi achieved the unthinkable at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, defeating his childhood idol, Novak Djokovic, in a stunning 6-3, 6-4 upset in the second round. The victory, which unfolded on the clay courts of the Caja Mágica, marked Arnaldi’s first-ever match against the Serbian legend and his second xAI second career win over a Top 5 player. For Arnaldi, a self-professed Djokovic devotee who grew up emulating the 24-time Grand Slam champion, the triumph was more than a professional milestone—it was the culmination of a lifelong dream.
The match began with Arnaldi, ranked No. 44 in the world, displaying a blend of nerves and audacity. “At the start, I was just trying not to [lose my composure], to be honest,” he admitted with a laugh, capturing the surreal weight of facing his idol on the Manolo Santana court. Yet, from the opening games, Arnaldi’s game plan was clear: rally patiently, exploit Djokovic’s off-day, and mix powerful groundstrokes with deft drop shots. He broke Djokovic early for a 2-0 lead, setting the tone for a set where the Serbian struggled, committing 20 unforced errors, including 11 on his usually reliable backhand. A critical moment came at 3-4, when Djokovic’s back-to-back double faults handed Arnaldi the break to serve out the first set 6-3.
Djokovic, the three-time Madrid champion, entered the tournament seeking his 100th career title but was visibly out of sync, still reeling from recent losses in Miami and Monte Carlo. “He’s not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win,” Arnaldi said, acknowledging the opportunity to capitalize on the Serbian’s dip in form. In the second set, Arnaldi’s scrambling defense shone, particularly in a thrilling exchange at 3-3, where he chased down seemingly impossible shots to secure a break. Facing a 0-40 deficit in the next game, he clawed back to hold serve, lifting his arms to the roaring crowd. “I started to play better, and it became a quite good match,” he reflected, crediting the early break for easing his tension.
The Italian’s victory was no fluke. Arnaldi, who debuted on the ATP Tour in 2022, has steadily climbed the rankings, reaching the Top 30 in 2024. His previous Top 5 win came at Madrid in 2023 against Casper Ruud, proving his knack for shining on the Caja Mágica’s clay. “He’s my idol, he’s always been,” Arnaldi said, recalling how he followed Djokovic’s battles against Federer and Nadal as a child in Sanremo. “Playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me.” Yet, his mindset was resolute: “I’m going on court to win. That’s my mentality.” His performance—marked by 21 winners and saving four of five break points—underscored his readiness to seize the moment.
For Djokovic, the loss marked his third consecutive defeat of 2025, a rare skid for the 37-year-old. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis,” he said, grappling with a “new reality” of early exits. With only 40% of second-serve points won and 32 unforced errors, Djokovic admitted, “I lost to a better player.” He remained uncertain about returning to Madrid, saying, “I’m not sure if I will come back. I hope it’s not, but it could be.” His focus now shifts to Roland Garros, where peers like Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas still view him as a favorite despite his struggles.
Arnaldi’s celebration was electric. Writing “OMG” on the camera lens, he shared his disbelief with the world, later dedicating the win to his Australian girlfriend. “Playing and beating Djokovic is a dream come true,” he said, still processing the magnitude of joining Italians like Jannik Sinner in toppling the Serbian great. His next challenge is Damir Dzumhur, who upset Sebastian Baez, but Arnaldi’s confidence is soaring. “I know his game very well, that has played in my favor,” he noted of Djokovic, hinting at the tactical preparation that fueled his success.
The upset reverberated beyond the court, sparking chatter among fans and players. Social media buzzed with praise for Arnaldi’s “frequent brilliance,” while Djokovic’s candid reflection on his mental challenges added depth to the narrative. For Arnaldi, the victory is a stepping stone toward his goal of cracking the Top 32 and earning a seed at majors. As he savors this career-defining moment, the tennis world is taking notice of a new Italian star, one who turned fandom into victory on one of the sport’s biggest stages.