Novak Djokovic, widely hailed as the greatest men’s tennis player of all time with a record 24 Grand Slam titles, is confronting an increasingly daunting reality. At 37, the Serbian icon suffered a shock third-round exit at the Madrid Open on April 27, 2025, falling to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 upset. The defeat, his third early exit in four tournaments this year, has sparked concerns about his ability to maintain his unparalleled dominance. Former rival Gilles Simon, a 14-time ATP title winner, has pinpointed the root of Djokovic’s struggles, warning that “time is only going in one direction” and that the physical toll of competing in his late 30s is making it “harder and harder every week” to chase a historic 25th major.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. His crowning achievement came at the Paris Olympics, where he stunned Carlos Alcaraz to claim the elusive gold medal, completing a Career Golden Slam. “It was a huge achievement to win the Olympics last year,” Simon noted, emphasizing that the three-set, one-week format suited Djokovic’s targeted preparation. Yet, since that triumph, his form has faltered. Losses to Jakub Mensik in Miami, Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo, and now Arnaldi in Madrid have seen him slip to world No. 5, with Jack Draper and Alex de Minaur poised to overtake him in the rankings. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic admitted after his Madrid loss, a stark departure from the relentless title-chasing mentality that defined his 428 weeks as world No. 1.
Simon, who faced Djokovic 12 times and won only once, attributes these struggles to the inevitable wear of age. “The tennis is not a problem—it’s just about the body,” he said, highlighting the grueling demands of five-set Grand Slams over two weeks, a stark contrast to the Olympics’ lighter format. Djokovic’s physical challenges were evident earlier this year when a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev, ending a 33-match win streak at his “happy place.” The injury sidelined him for two months, limiting his 2025 schedule and leaving him with just 4,130 ranking points entering Madrid, 595 behind No. 4 Taylor Fritz.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s legacy as the GOAT is undisputed. His 24 majors, 40 Masters 1000 titles, and seven ATP Finals triumphs outstrip rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, with a winning head-to-head record against both. His 2011 and 2015 seasons, where he amassed 10 titles each, are among the greatest in tennis history. Yet, Simon’s warning underscores a universal truth: even the greatest cannot outrun time. “If there is one player who knows the way, it’s Novak,” Simon said, acknowledging Djokovic’s meticulous preparation, from mindfulness training to optimized fitness regimens. Still, the physicality of facing younger, explosive players like Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Zverev tests his endurance.
The Madrid Open, with its high-altitude clay, has never been Djokovic’s strongest surface, but his early exit stung. Arnaldi, ranked No. 36, capitalized on Djokovic’s 28 unforced errors, a far cry from the precision that saw him defeat Nadal at Roland Garros in 2023 for his 23rd major. Social media buzzed with concern and defiance, with one fan posting, “Novak’s still the GOAT, but these losses hurt,” while another insisted, “He’ll silence the doubters at Roland Garros.” Former British No. 1 Tim Henman remains optimistic, pointing to Djokovic’s seven Wimbledon titles as evidence of his resilience. “His confidence and understanding of grass court tennis give him a chance,” Henman said.
As Djokovic eyes the French Open, where he’s won three times, his preparation will be critical. His decision to enlist Andy Murray, a former rival, as his coach for the Australian Open in 2026 signals a strategic shift to reclaim his edge. Off the court, Djokovic’s advocacy for lower-ranked players through the PTPA and his push for better prize money distribution reflect a legacy that extends beyond titles. “I understand the struggle,” he once told ESPN, emphasizing his commitment to the sport’s future. For now, the tennis world watches as the Serbian titan battles time, determined to prove that even in adversity, his greatness endures.