Novak Djokovic must continue his search for further glory away from the Madrid Open, having lost in his opening match.
Many tennis fans think Djokovic needs to retire amid his current run, which involves three successive defeats.
Since then, Djokovic has withdrawn from the Italian Open, the next ATP Masters 1000 event in the calendar after the Madrid Open.
Djokovic lost the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik at the end of March, once again missing out on a 100th ATP Tour title.
Alejandro Tabilo then knocked the Serbian out of the Monte Carlo Masters, with Matteo Arnaldi doing the same in Madrid.
Novak Djokovic drops retirement hint as on-court struggles continue
Ranked fifth in the world, he currently has a 12-6 win-loss record for 2025, with a retirement hint having now been dropped by the 37-year-old.
“Obviously it’s challenging for me nowadays to produce the results I had when I was at my best,” he told Business Traveler USA. “It doesn’t mean that I will never be able to do that again.
“But that greatness changes its shape, and that’s because you’re a different person on an annual basis, on a monthly basis, on a weekly basis. Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, it’s never enough.
“Because once it’s enough, then it’s really enough and you have to put the racket aside. And I still… I still don’t feel it’s enough for me.”
Novak Djokovic shares a life motto that has helped him throughout his career
As Djokovic alluded to, maintaining his stunning efforts from his earlier career was simply an impossible task.
And rather than being criticised for his current form, the 24-time Grand Slam must be praised for his glittering career.
Such a Grand Slam tally and 99 titles is extraordinary, with Djokovic set to leave a lasting legacy when he does finally hang up his racket.
But it seems that he is not quite ready yet, even though he is more than satisfied with what he has achieved from his efforts.
“Tennis has consumed most of my life since a very young age,” he said. “I’ve devoted my mental, physical and emotional energy to it – and boy, did I have a reward from it.
“When you reach the highest levels of global professional sport, there are certain things it instils in you that are essential fundamentals of business or anything you do in life.
“Discipline and daily routine are underestimated in terms of how important they are. Discipline, commitment and devotion, but also innovation. Adaptability is unique and very rare.
“I love a quote that I heard some years ago: The biggest opponent is always the person you were yesterday. ‘Try to be the better version of yourself’ is a kind of life motto for me.
“Keeping your mind open and curious, surrounding yourself with the right people and not taking anything for granted.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
