The clay courts of Madrid’s Caja Mágica, usually a stage for Novak Djokovic’s surgical precision, became an arena of raw emotion on April 24, 2025, as the 24-time Grand Slam champion unleashed a furious tirade during a practice session ahead of the Mutua Madrid Open. With his new coach, Andy Murray, looking on, Djokovic’s frustration boiled over after a series of errant shots, his expletive-laden outburst—“F*** this sport, f*** tennis, f*** everything”—captured on video and quickly going viral. The moment, a stark contrast to his usual composure, revealed a tennis titan grappling with a challenging 2025 season as he prepares to face Matteo Arnaldi in the second round on Saturday. “I don’t have many expectations with the result, but I’m very excited to play here,” Djokovic had told reporters earlier, his optimism now overshadowed by the intensity of his practice meltdown.
Djokovic, 37, is no stranger to emotional eruptions, his fiery edge a hallmark of a career that includes 99 tour-level titles and a record 428 weeks at World No. 1. Yet, his 2025 campaign has been uncharacteristically rocky, with only one title and early exits, including a shocking loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo’s round of 32. “It was actually more like the worst day,” Djokovic said after that defeat, his voice heavy with disappointment. “Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way.” The Madrid Open, where he’s a three-time champion (2011, 2016, 2019), offers a chance to regain momentum before the French Open, his self-proclaimed “sole target” for the clay swing. But the practice session, under Murray’s watchful eye, exposed the pressure weighing on the Serbian star.
The footage showed Djokovic, visibly agitated, swearing in Serbian and English while practicing serves, with Murray calmly feeding him balls. The outburst came after a string of missed shots, a moment of vulnerability for a player known for relentless perfectionism. Former coach Goran Ivanisevic once described Djokovic as “never satisfied,” a trait that fuels his greatness but also explains his intensity in training. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner who joined Djokovic’s team in November 2024, is no stranger to such passion, having had his own fiery moments during his playing career. “I’m still trying to stay there and represent the veterans,” Djokovic said, hinting at his motivation to defy age and a new generation led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The Madrid Open holds high stakes for Djokovic, who hasn’t competed here since 2022, when he fell to Alcaraz in a semifinal thriller. Fans had hoped for a rematch, but Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to a leg injury dashed those dreams. Instead, Djokovic faces Arnaldi, a rising Italian ranked No. 44, in a match that tests his readiness on clay, where he boasts an 80.1% win rate and 17 titles. “I like to play here because I feel the support of the people, a lot of positive energy,” Djokovic noted, banking on the Spanish crowd’s passion to lift him. Yet, his practice rant suggests he’s still searching for the form that made him untouchable.
Social media buzzed with reactions, some fans finding humor in Djokovic’s candor, joking that Murray’s fiery demeanor might be “rubbing off.” Others saw it as a sign of his unrelenting drive. “I’m always optimistic, but I don’t know if I’m one of the favourites because I’m not having very good results this year,” Djokovic admitted, tempering expectations while eyeing a 100th career title. His work with Murray, a former rival turned ally, aims to sharpen his game for Roland Garros, where a 25th major would eclipse Margaret Court’s record. “If I’m not motivated, I’m not here,” he declared at the Laureus Awards, reaffirming his hunger.
Djokovic’s outburst, while shocking, is no predictor of failure. The seven-time Wimbledon champion often channels frustration into brilliance, as seen in past comebacks. As he steps onto Madrid’s clay, the tennis world watches, wondering if “The Djoker” can transform rage into redemption. For now, his fiery practice session is a reminder: even legends wrestle with doubt, but Djokovic’s fight is far from over.
“Fuck sport, tennis and everything “ pic.twitter.com/oBnuwhwODx
— Shadow (@ShadowTexas3) April 24, 2025