By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 26, 2025
Picture credit score: Mutua Madrid Open Fb
Novak Djokovic sprayed one ultimate forehand past the baseline ending a 6-3, 6-4 Madrid upset loss to Matteo Arnaldi in the present day.
Minutes later, Djokovic stated that misfire could be his Mutua Madrid Open parting shot.
The 37-year-old Serbian celebrity stated his third straight loss could also be his ultimate Madrid match.
“It could possibly be. It could possibly be,” Djokovic informed the media in Madrid in the present day. “I am unsure 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, in fact. I hope it is not, nevertheless it could possibly 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 usually means gamers should cut back their schedule as a way to keep wholesome for Grand Slams. But with out the constant match play, they then can lose match sharpness, consistency and confidence.
Abruptly 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 dropping 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. “You recognize, attempting to win a match or two, not likely fascinated by getting far within the match.
“It is a fully completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years {of professional} tennis, so it is form of a problem for me mentally to actually face these form of sensations on the court docket, going out early now frequently within the tournaments. However, you realize, that is, I suppose, 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 a centesimal 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 harm and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner set to come back again for Rome, neither of his two main rivals determine to be 100% for Paris both.
That provides Miami finalist Djokovic hope, however he is aware of successful is the one reply. Proper now, that is not taking place.
“I am attempting to, you realize, use this as a driving drive for the long run,” Djokovic stated. “Clearly Grand Slams, I used to be saying many instances, are an important tournaments for me. Which does not imply that I do not wish to win right here, in fact I needed to, however, you realize, Grand Slams is the place I actually wish to play the very best tennis.
“I am unsure 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 probabilities for Wimbledon, the Slam many champions imagine 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 may alleviate some stress he feels attempting to win his first title since Paris.
“Nicely, I imply, look, stress is a part of the game and a part of what we do on this highest degree, so it is by no means going to go away, you realize, it is simply completely different form of stress,” Djokovic stated. “However each time I step on the court docket I really feel the nerves, I really feel stress, I really feel every thing that I suppose all the opposite gamers really feel, and pleasure as properly.
“So, nonetheless prefer to compete, it grew to become a bit tougher for me, to be sincere. However in fact, 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 principal favorites. Possibly that may assist, I do not know, we’ll see.”
