Winner Sinner
Hall of Fame
Just twenty minutes after leaving the court, Novak Djokovic quickly showed up at the press conference at the Mutua Madrid Open 2025. The defeat in his debut match against Matteo Arnaldi is a hard blow for the Serbian champion, who has to deal with another disappointment in a season that has so far been stingy on clay. With great frankness and clarity, Djokovic admitted to the media that this could be his last participation in the prestigious Spanish tournament.
«Of course, when you lose a match you don't feel good», Djokovic began. «I knew it would be a difficult match from the beginning. Matteo is a very talented opponent, while I didn't have many matches under my belt on this surface. In training I felt good, but the official match is a whole different thing. The positive aspect is that I felt better than in Monte Carlo and in previous tournaments, even if my level is not yet what I wanted. Today, I simply lost against a better player».
The Serbian champion did not hide his doubts about the next Roland Garros: «Honestly, I would have liked to play more matches than in Monte Carlo. It is a new situation for me, I must admit. Now my goal is to win some matches, without having expectations of final victory. It is a totally different feeling compared to the last twenty years on the circuit. It is a mental challenge that is part of the natural cycle of sporting life».
Djokovic continued with a sincere reflection on his present: «Sooner or later it had to happen. I try to use it as a motivation to look forward. The Grand Slams remain my main goals, although of course I also want to win in other tournaments. I don't know if I'll be able to show my best tennis at Roland Garros, but I'll give my all to succeed».
The Serb then made a deep analysis of the current moment in his career: «For twenty years I hadn't experienced what I'm going through in these last twelve months. Too many early defeats, which certainly hurt. But it's part of the sport and you have to accept the new circumstances trying to get the most possible. I can't complain about my career, I've lived extraordinary moments, but now I have to face a different reality. My shots, my body, my movements are no longer what they were before. It's a change that I have to accept and live with, especially in the big tournaments. We'll see what happens».
Finally, speaking about pressure, Djokovic clarified: «Pressure is an integral part of our sport, especially at the highest levels. It never goes away, even if it is different now. Every time I step on the court I feel nervous, pressure and emotion like any other player. I still love competing, even if it has become more difficult. I do not arrive in Paris as one of the favorites, and maybe this could be an advantageous situation»..
Asked if this could be his last match in Madrid, Djokovic left all options open: "It could be, I'm not sure if I'll come back here. I will definitely come back, but maybe not as a player. I hope it wasn't my last match in Madrid, but it could be."
«Of course, when you lose a match you don't feel good», Djokovic began. «I knew it would be a difficult match from the beginning. Matteo is a very talented opponent, while I didn't have many matches under my belt on this surface. In training I felt good, but the official match is a whole different thing. The positive aspect is that I felt better than in Monte Carlo and in previous tournaments, even if my level is not yet what I wanted. Today, I simply lost against a better player».
The Serbian champion did not hide his doubts about the next Roland Garros: «Honestly, I would have liked to play more matches than in Monte Carlo. It is a new situation for me, I must admit. Now my goal is to win some matches, without having expectations of final victory. It is a totally different feeling compared to the last twenty years on the circuit. It is a mental challenge that is part of the natural cycle of sporting life».
Djokovic continued with a sincere reflection on his present: «Sooner or later it had to happen. I try to use it as a motivation to look forward. The Grand Slams remain my main goals, although of course I also want to win in other tournaments. I don't know if I'll be able to show my best tennis at Roland Garros, but I'll give my all to succeed».
The Serb then made a deep analysis of the current moment in his career: «For twenty years I hadn't experienced what I'm going through in these last twelve months. Too many early defeats, which certainly hurt. But it's part of the sport and you have to accept the new circumstances trying to get the most possible. I can't complain about my career, I've lived extraordinary moments, but now I have to face a different reality. My shots, my body, my movements are no longer what they were before. It's a change that I have to accept and live with, especially in the big tournaments. We'll see what happens».
Finally, speaking about pressure, Djokovic clarified: «Pressure is an integral part of our sport, especially at the highest levels. It never goes away, even if it is different now. Every time I step on the court I feel nervous, pressure and emotion like any other player. I still love competing, even if it has become more difficult. I do not arrive in Paris as one of the favorites, and maybe this could be an advantageous situation»..
Asked if this could be his last match in Madrid, Djokovic left all options open: "It could be, I'm not sure if I'll come back here. I will definitely come back, but maybe not as a player. I hope it wasn't my last match in Madrid, but it could be."
