MADRID — For nearly two decades, Novak Djokovic has been synonymous with dominance, resilience, and an almost mechanical mastery of tennis. But after a straight-sets defeat to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, the 37-year-old legend acknowledged he has entered a new and unfamiliar chapter in his career — one marked by shifting expectations, mounting struggles, and the undeniable march of time.
Djokovic, a 99-time tour-level titlist and former world No. 1, fell 6-3, 6-4 to Arnaldi, marking his third consecutive loss following defeats in the Miami Open final and his Monte-Carlo opener. Speaking candidly to reporters after his exit, Djokovic reflected on the emotional and mental adjustments he must now make.
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“I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte-Carlo,” Djokovic said. “[It’s] kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. 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.”
An Unfamiliar Struggle for Tennis’ Iron Man
The three-match losing streak is significant: Djokovic had not lost three matches consecutively since 2018 — a streak he has now repeated twice in 2025. His record this season stands at 12-7, a far cry from the dominance that once defined his every appearance.
In Miami, Djokovic came agonizingly close to securing his 100th career title, falling to rising Czech star Jakub Mensik in a hard-fought final. The hope was that a transition to the clay courts of Europe, where he has enjoyed so much success in the past, would provide the momentum needed to regain his form. Instead, his loss to Arnaldi, in their first career meeting, has further deepened the uncertainty surrounding his future competitiveness.
“Obviously after you lose a match you don’t feel good,” Djokovic admitted. “I knew that it was going to be a really tough opening match for me in this tournament. Arnaldi is a really good player, a quality player.”
Despite the disappointment, Djokovic found solace in small improvements. “I think the positive thing is that I really enjoyed myself more than I [did] in Monte-Carlo, so that’s a good thing. But obviously the level of tennis is not where I would like it to be.”
Navigating the Challenges of a New Phase
The Serbian superstar, who once thrived under the pressure of high expectations, is now grappling with a different kind of pressure — the pressure to accept that age and wear have shifted the landscape.
“Pressure is part of the sport and part of what we do on this highest level, so it’s never going to go away,” Djokovic said. “It’s just a different kind of pressure.”
He added that the emotions accompanying each match — the nerves, the stress, the excitement — are still present but managing them has become “a bit more challenging.”
“But of course I’ll do my best for the future,” he emphasized.
At Risk of Falling From the Top 5
Following his early exit in Madrid, Djokovic, currently ranked World No. 5, faces the possibility of dropping out of the Top 5 depending on other results this week. It would mark another symbolic shift for a player who has held the No. 1 position for a record 428 weeks during his career.
Madrid was historically one of Djokovic’s strongholds. He has captured three of his record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles there, contributing to a legacy few players have ever approached. His departure this year without a match win signals just how much the competitive terrain — and his place within it — is evolving.
Looking Ahead: Will Djokovic Adapt or Fade?
As Djokovic contemplates the coming months, including the critical Roland Garros campaign, questions loom about how — and whether — he can adapt his game to these new realities. His candor about the mental hurdles he faces suggests a willingness to confront them head-on, even as results falter.
“It’s the circle of life and the career,” Djokovic reflected. “Eventually it was going to happen.”
While his reign as an invincible force may be ending, Djokovic’s fierce competitiveness, resilience, and love for the sport endure. Whether he can forge a successful final act remains to be seen — but if history has taught tennis fans anything, it is never wise to count Novak Djokovic out too soon.
