Novak Djokovic has suffered another shock defeat, having lost his opening match at the Madrid Open.
Djokovic may have played his last Madrid Open match, in which he was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Matteo Arnaldi.
Handed a bye in round one of the 2025 Madrid Open, Djokovic fell in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
The defeat comes immediately after the 24-time Grand Slam champion lost his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Speaking after his latest result, Djokovic said: “I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte-Carlo. [It’s] kind of a new reality for me, I have to say.”
Many tennis fans think Novak Djokovic should retire after early Madrid Open exit
And the loss, coupled with the admission, has led to many tennis fans claiming that the veteran should call time on his glittering career.
“Age and lack of motivation,” one fan wrote on X. “He should retire at the top, as he has nothing else to prove.”
A second commented: “The end is closer than we think enjoy watching him,” with a third saying: “Father Time calling.”
A fourth wrote: “As a long time Nole fan, supporter and believer I have to be honest. This is becoming painful to watch.”
Another tennis fan agreed: “Time to think about a dignified retirement,” with another noting: “The end is near.”
Another concurred: “Go out when you’re on top…., gotta know when to hold and know when to fold… and sadly, you passed the point of folding.”
Novak Djokovic suffers unwanted feat for just the the second time in his career
It remains to be seen when Djokovic will call time on his stunning career, which would bring an end to the Big Three once and for all.
The Serbian is the last man standing of the iconic trio, with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal having retired in 2022 and 2024 respectively.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal sends social media message to Novak Djokovic ahead of the Madrid Open
It is certainly a worrying period for the 37-year-old, who fell in his Monte Carlo Masters opener to Alejandro Tabilo earlier this month.
The back-to-back defeats mean he has now lost consecutive opening matches at ATP Masters 1000 events for the second time in his career, as per OptaAce.
That had only ever previously happened to the Serbian superstar in 2018 at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, with his wait for an elusive 100th ATP title now going on.
One certainty, however, is that Djokovic will gain a phenomenal amount of plaudits and recognition when he does finally retire from tennis, and rightfully so.
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