By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 26, 2025
Picture credit score: Mutua Madrid Open Fb
Novak Djokovic sprayed one last forehand past the baseline ending a 6-3, 6-4 Madrid upset loss to Matteo Arnaldi immediately.
Minutes later, Djokovic stated that misfire might be his Mutua Madrid Open parting shot.
The 37-year-old Serbian celebrity stated his third straight loss could also be his last Madrid match.
“It might be. It might be,” Djokovic informed the media in Madrid immediately. “I am undecided if I’ll come again. So, I do not know, I do not know what to say.
“I imply, I will come again, perhaps not as a participant, after all. I hope it is not, however it might be.”
The on-court quandary Djokovic faces is one acquainted to longevity champions together with Pancho Gonzalez, Ken Rosewall, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
Advancing age sometimes means gamers should cut back their schedule with a purpose to keep wholesome for Grand Slams. But with out the constant match play, they then can lose match sharpness, consistency and confidence.
Instantly the rally ball at 30-all which was as soon as so routine for Djokovic misses the mark a bit in Madrid’s altitude and a break level can escalate to disaster level.
Nineteen years after he defeated Richard Gasquet in his Madrid debut, Djokovic confronts a “new actuality” his second three-match shedding streak of the season.
All through his profession, the Grand Slam king has been pushed to seize championships.
As of late, Djokovic concedes it is a problem to win matches.
“Form of new actuality for me, I’ve to say,” Djokovic stated. “, making an attempt to win a match or two, not likely enthusiastic about getting far within the match.
“It is a utterly totally different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years {of professional} tennis, so it is sort of a problem for me mentally to actually face these sort of sensations on the court docket, going out early now frequently within the tournaments. However, , that is, I assume, the circle of life and the profession (smiling), finally it was going to occur.”
Final August, Djokovic performed a classic Djokovic match out dueling Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 7-6, to seize the Olympic gold medal for Serbia.
Persevering with his quest for a one hundredth profession championship and a record-extending twenty fifth Grand Slam crown, Djokovic stated he is pushed by main pursuits. The previous world No. 1 additionally sees the massive image and is aware of with Alcaraz pulling out of Madrid with damage and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner set to return again for Rome, neither of his two main rivals determine to be 100% for Paris both.
That offers Miami finalist Djokovic hope, however he is aware of profitable is the one reply. Proper now, that is not taking place.
“I am making an attempt to, , use this as a driving power for the long run,” Djokovic stated. “Clearly Grand Slams, I used to be saying many instances, are a very powerful tournaments for me. Which does not imply that I do not need to win right here, after all I needed to, however, , Grand Slams is the place I actually need to play the perfect tennis.
“I am undecided if I will be capable to try this in Roland Garros, however I will do my finest.”
Roland Garros begins on Could twenty fifth. The query is: Can Djokovic discover his recreation and confidence within the subsequent month? And if he does go deep in Paris, will the bodily pounding on his physique degrade his possibilities for Wimbledon, the Slam many champions consider is his finest shot for a twenty fifth main?
These query are all a part of his “new actuality.”
Primarily based on his present three-match slide, Djokovic stated he is not a French Open favourite and hopes that can alleviate some strain he feels making an attempt to win his first title since Paris.
“Nicely, I imply, look, strain is a part of the game and a part of what we do on this highest stage, so it is by no means going to go away, , it is simply totally different sort of strain,” Djokovic stated. “However each time I step on the court docket I really feel the nerves, I really feel stress, I really feel every part that I assume all the opposite gamers really feel, and pleasure as nicely.
“So, nonetheless wish to compete, it turned a bit tougher for me, to be sincere. However after all, as I stated, I will do my finest for the long run. Grand Slam, I am not going into Roland Garros as one of many major favorites. Perhaps that may assist, I do not know, we’ll see.”
