For nearly two decades, Novak Djokovic has set the bar in tennis, achieving milestones few could ever match. However, after his straight-sets defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round of the Mutua Madrid Open, Djokovic acknowledged the new chapter he’s entering in his career.
This chapter, he admits, is filled with fresh challenges and struggles that are unfamiliar to him. After his 6-3, 6-4 loss to Arnaldi on Saturday, marking his third consecutive defeat, Djokovic spoke openly about his evolving expectations.
“I was hoping I could play one more match than I did in Monte-Carlo. It’s kind of a new reality for me,” Djokovic said. “Now, I’m just trying to win a match or two, not thinking about going deep in the tournament… It’s completely different from what I’ve known in over 20 years of professional tennis.”
The 99-time tour-level champion, who had a narrow loss in the Miami final to Czech sensation Jakub Mensik, is now adjusting to a different mindset. Djokovic had hoped to build momentum on the clay courts, but the loss to Arnaldi—his first meeting with the Italian—marks another setback in a year that has seen him lose three matches in a row. He hadn’t experienced such a losing streak since 2018, but now he’s faced it twice in 2025.
“After you lose, you don’t feel great, but I’ve had a few first-round losses this year,” Djokovic reflected. “I knew this would be a tough match against Arnaldi. He’s a quality player. I didn’t have many clay court matches before this, and while I practiced well, it’s different when you step on the match court.”
Despite his struggles, Djokovic found a positive takeaway: “I enjoyed myself more here than I did in Monte-Carlo, so that’s good. But the level of tennis is not where I want it to be. Still, this is part of the career and life—it was going to happen eventually.”
The 37-year-old is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, but his early exit from Madrid puts him at risk of dropping out of the Top 5, depending on other results this week. With a 12-7 record for the season, Djokovic is navigating a difficult phase in his career, where the pressure he once thrived under now presents a different kind of challenge.
“Pressure is part of the sport. It’s always there, just a different kind of pressure,” Djokovic said. “Every time I step on the court, I feel the nerves, the stress, and excitement—just like all the other players. Competing has become a bit more challenging, but I’ll do my best for the future.”
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