Djokovic Falls to Arnaldi, Hints at Madrid Exit

Novak Djokovic suffered a straight-sets loss, 6-3, 6-4, to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the 2025 Madrid Open, marking his third consecutive early tournament exit and continuing his title drought since August. Djokovic, who is seeking his 100th career title, admitted he is facing a 'new reality' with lower expectations and acknowledged this could be his last appearance in Madrid as a player. Arnaldi, ranked 44th, called the win a dream come true and claimed his second career victory against a Top 5 player. The defeat extends Djokovic’s struggles this season, raising questions about his preparation for the French Open. The upset is seen as evidence of a potential changing of the guard in men's tennis, with younger players like Arnaldi capitalizing on opportunities. Djokovic’s uncertainty about his future participation in Madrid underscores the challenges facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion.