Following his unexpected early exit from the Madrid Open, world number one Novak Djokovic offered a succinct, two-word reaction that encapsulated his disappointment and perhaps hinted at a broader perspective on his current situation. After falling in straight sets to the unseeded Italian Matteo Arnaldi, a result that sent ripples through the tennis world, Djokovic’s immediate response was brief but telling: “Not great.”
This concise assessment, delivered in the aftermath of a surprising defeat, speaks volumes about the high standards the Serbian champion has set for himself over his illustrious career. For a player who has consistently reached the pinnacle of the sport, an early loss in a significant tournament like the Madrid Open is undoubtedly a setback. The two-word reaction, while understated, conveys a sense of dissatisfaction with his performance and the outcome of the match.
The defeat to Arnaldi marked Djokovic’s second consecutive early exit in a Masters 1000 event on clay, following his loss in Monte Carlo. This sequence of results is unusual for the 24-time Grand Slam winner and has naturally sparked discussions about his form as the clay court season progresses towards the prestigious Roland Garros.
In his post-match reflections, Djokovic elaborated slightly beyond his initial two-word summary, acknowledging the unexpected nature of his loss and the need to regroup. He admitted that his level of play was not where he desired it to be and that he would need to analyze the match to understand the factors contributing to the defeat. While expressing disappointment, Djokovic also maintained a measured tone, emphasizing his focus on the upcoming tournaments and his ultimate goal of performing at his best in the Grand Slams.
“Obviously, after you lose a match, you don’t feel good,” Djokovic stated, echoing the sentiment of his initial reaction. “But I’ve had a few of these this year where I lose in the early rounds, unfortunately.” He further acknowledged the quality of his opponent, recognizing that Arnaldi played a strong match and deserved the victory. “He was solid from the beginning to the end and deserved to win,” Djokovic conceded.
Despite the setback, Djokovic reiterated his commitment to the season and his determination to improve. He emphasized that the Grand Slams remain his priority and that he would use the upcoming tournaments to fine-tune his game in preparation for Roland Garros. “Grand Slams are the most important tournaments for me,” he affirmed. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to win here, of course I wanted to, but, you know, Grand Slams are where I really want to play the best tennis.”1
The early exit in Madrid also prompted questions about Djokovic’s overall clay court form this season. Having played a limited number of matches on the surface leading up to the tournament, he acknowledged that he was still finding his rhythm. “I didn’t have too many matches on clay,” Djokovic explained. “I did practice well, but it’s completely different when you step out on the match court.”
Looking ahead, Djokovic indicated his intention to participate in the Rome Masters, the final major clay court event before the French Open. This tournament will provide him with another opportunity to gain match practice and assess his level of play against top competitors. His performance in Rome will likely offer further insights into his preparedness for the challenges of Roland Garros.
While the two-word reaction “Not great” effectively captured the immediate disappointment of the Madrid Open loss, Djokovic’s subsequent comments revealed a blend of realism, determination, and a continued focus on his long-term goals. As he navigates the clay court season, the tennis world will be keenly observing his progress and his quest to peak at the Grand Slam tournaments.