Novak Djokovic will not chase his fourth Madrid Masters title. The veteran experienced an early loss in Caja Magica, failing to pass the first hurdle at three of the opening four Masters 1000 events of the season.
Speaking about his return to Madrid, Djokovic admitted this could be his last match in the Spanish capital. The 37-year-old would love to return to Madrid as a player but could not confirm that following another tough defeat, the seventh of the season.
Novak faced Matteo Arnaldi in the second round and suffered a 6-3, 6-4 loss in an hour and 41 minutes. Like in the previous six losses of 2025, the legend struggled on the return and failed to keep the rival's pace in his games.
Indian Wells: 2R
Miami: F 🥈
Monte-Carlo: 2R
Madrid: 2ROther than Miami, It’s been a tricky time for Djokovic at the Masters 1000s so far this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/IXewG5MfyO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 26, 2025
Djokovic is 12-7 in 2025, reaching the Australian Open semi-final and the Miami Open final, falling to Jakub Mensik in two tie breaks. The legend would love to claim the elusive 100th ATP title, although he has nothing more to prove.
The Serb will try to find his A-game by Roland Garros and chase his 25th Major crown in the French capital. Arnaldi finally earned a chance to compete against his idol after training with him once in Rome three years ago.
The Italian held his nerves and performed at a high level against the greatest player of all time. Matteo clinched seven points more than Novak, including the pivotal ones. The younger player made the difference behind the second serve.
Novak Djokovic, Madrid Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He denied four of five break points and secured three breaks from as many opportunities to celebrate his career-best victory. Arnaldi held the strings in his hands and hit 21 winners and 18 unforced errors. Djokovic added 21 direct points and 32 mistakes, 20 in the opening set.
Novak had a chance to prolong the second set but missed them, experiencing another early loss and extending his mediocre run. The Italian hit five service winners more than the Serb, who erased that deficit from the baseline and at the net.
The lower-ranked player collected five points more in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes. Novak outplayed his rival in the mid-range ones and stayed in contention. However, the younger competitor had the upper hand in the most extended rallies, earning his win in that segment.
Matteo Arnaldi & Novak Djokovic, Madrid Open 2025© Stream screenshot
They traded early breaks, and Matteo saved another break point at 2-2. The Italian shifted into a higher gear at 3-3, rattling off three games and claiming the opener 6-3 in 48 minutes. Novak served well early in the second set and reached deuces on the return.
However, he failed to make an extra step and generate break points. Instead, Arnaldi secured a break in the seventh game and moved closer to the top. Djokovic finally made a push in game eight and generated three break points.
He missed an opportunity on the second and wasted all three, allowing his rival to bring the game home and move 5-3 in front. The veteran served to stay in the match in game nine and held at love for more action.
Novak Djokovic, Madrid Open 2025© Stream screenshot
However, Matteo felt no sign of nerves while serving for the win at 5-4. The Italian drew the legend's error for three match points and landed a service winner on the second and celebrate an emotional victory.
"This could be my final match in Madrid. I'm not sure if I will come back. I do not know what to say. I hope to return to Caja Magica as a player, but nothing is certain," Novak Djokovic said.
