Novak Djokovic Faces Third Consecutive First-Round Exit at Madrid Open

Novak Djokovic suffered a straight-sets defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round of the 2025 Madrid Open, marking his fourth first-round exit of the year and extending his losing streak to three matches. Despite being a three-time Madrid champion, Djokovic admitted uncertainty about returning to the tournament and acknowledged his ongoing struggle with form, noting that his current focus is simply trying to win a match or two rather than advancing deep into events. Since the Australian Open, his only significant run was a finals appearance in Miami, while early exits have become more frequent in other tournaments. Djokovic stated that his main priority remains the Grand Slams, particularly the upcoming French Open, but conceded that he may not be among the favorites at Roland Garros given his current level. Matteo Arnaldi, who idolized Djokovic growing up, celebrated the victory as a dream come true. The loss underscores a challenging period for Djokovic, who has not won a clay-court match since 2023 and is adjusting to a new reality in the latter stages of his career.