Is this the end of an era? Djokovic suggests a possible farewell in Madrid following his defeat
Arnaldi triumphed over fourth seed Djokovic with a score of 6-3, 6-4, advancing to the third round of the Madrid Open.
MADRID: Novak Djokovic has hinted that he might have participated in the Madrid Open for the last time.
The three-time champion was eliminated in the second round on Saturday after falling to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Following his defeat, the Serbian star expressed uncertainty about his future participation in the tournament.
Arnaldi defeated fourth seed Djokovic with a score of 6-3, 6-4, advancing to the third round and marking Djokovic’s third consecutive loss.
The 37-year-old Serbian, who received a bye in the first round, has struggled after a shocking defeat in the Miami Open final in late March, followed by an early exit from the Monte Carlo tournament earlier this month.
All three of these losses occurred in straight sets. “Of course, losing a match doesn’t feel great, but I’ve experienced a few first-round exits this year, unfortunately,” Djokovic stated in a press conference. “I think the positive aspect is that I enjoyed myself more than I did in Monte Carlo or in some other tournaments, which is a good sign. “However, my level of tennis isn’t where I’d like it to be. It is what it is; I lost to a better player.”
Djokovic, who made his debut at the Madrid tournament in 2006 and clinched titles in 2011, 2016, and 2019, was seeking his first clay victory since beating Carlos Alcaraz to secure gold at the Paris Olympics.
When asked if he just played his final match in Madrid, Djokovic replied, “It could be. I’m uncertain about my return. I really don’t know what to say.” He continued, “I might come back, though maybe not as a player. I hope this isn’t the case, but it could happen.
” In 2023, Djokovic secured three out of the four major titles, but he has struggled to replicate that form lately. Last year, he was sidelined from the biggest tournaments, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz each winning a major title. “It’s a kind of new reality for me,” Djokovic remarked. “I’m just trying to win a match or two, without really aiming for deep runs in the tournament.
” He expressed that this is a completely different experience compared to his 20-plus years in professional tennis, acknowledging the mental challenge of facing these feelings on the court and often exiting tournaments early. “But, I suppose that’s the cycle of life and a career—it was bound to happen eventually.” The former world number one holds ATP Masters 1000 records for most wins (414), semi-finals (79), finals (60), and titles (40).
