Novak Djokovic was looking to secure his first clay-court win of 2025 at the Madrid Open.
The Serbian star didn’t get off to the best of starts on clay this year, as Djokovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Djokovic performed at a level well below what many have come to expect, as the Chilean dismantled him in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Unable to bounce back in the Spanish capital, Djokovic lost to Matteo Arnaldi in his opener at the Madrid Open.
After the match, the ATP Tour legend was asked whether he plans to return to Madrid again in 2026.
Novak Djokovic admits his defeat to Matteo Arnaldi ‘could be’ his final match at the Madrid Open
Djokovic lost to Italy’s Arnaldi, 3-6, 4-6, and was then asked in his post-match press conference whether the match could be his last in Madrid.
“It could be,” he said.
“I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know, I don’t know what to say. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course.
“I hope it’s not, but it could be.”
A three-time champion in Madrid, Djokovic had played the tournament just once (2022) since last winning the title six years ago.
The Serb was also asked whether he had high expectations coming into this year’s tournament.
“Not big at all, to be honest. I was hoping I could play one more match than I played in Monte-Carlo,” said Djokovic.
“Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. You know, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament.
“It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.
“But, you know, that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career, eventually it was going to happen.”
Djokovic has now lost his opening match at four of the seven tournaments he’s played in 2025.
- 2025 Madrid Open – Lost in 2R to Matteo Arnaldi, 3-6, 4-6
- 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – Lost in 2R to Alejandro Tabilo, 3-6, 4-6
- 2025 Indian Wells – Lost in 2R to Botic van de Zandschulp, 2-6, 6-3, 1-6
- 2025 Qatar Open – Lost in 1R to Matteo Berrettini, 6-7, 2-6
The 37-year-old then made clear which tournaments he is focused on producing his best tennis at in 2025.
“Now I’m trying to, you know, use this as a driving force for the future,” said Djokovic.
“Obviously, Grand Slams, I was saying many times, are the most important tournaments for me.
“Which 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.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that in Roland Garros, but I’ll do my best.”
Matteo Arnaldi reacts after beating his ‘idol’ Novak Djokovic, ‘he’s not at his best right now’
While Djokovic looks ahead to the French Open, Arnaldi will no doubt want to stay in the moment, having just produced the biggest win of his young career.
During his on-court interview, the Italian explained just how special it was for him to play against his tennis ‘idol’.
“He’s my idol, he’s always been, so I was just glad that I could play him, because I never played him [before], I just practised with him,” said Arnaldi.
“Playing him in a stage like this was already a victory for me, but he’s not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win, and it happened, so right now I don’t even know what to say.”
Arnaldi admitted he was nervous at the start, but was pleased to secure an early break on his way to victory.
“At the start, I was just trying not to s— in my pants to be honest,” he said.
“That was the main thing, trying to rally at the start, trying to make him do some mistakes.
“Then once you start to feel better, the tension starts to go away a little bit, he gave me a little bit in a few games.
“For sure, it helped me that I broke him straight away, after that I started to play better, and it became quite a good match.”
Arnaldi will return to action against Damir Dzumhur in the third round of the Madrid Open on Monday, April 28.
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