Djokovic Confronting a ‘New Reality’
An eventful opening week in Madrid witnessed a nationwide power outage, a legend admitting he may have bid farewell to the Caja Magica crowd one last time, and some thrilling match-ups on the Spanish clay.
Two consecutive early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid have raised doubts for Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, about how much longer he’ll continue competing.
After falling to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, Djokovic was asked whether this might have been his final appearance at the Madrid Open.
“It’s possible. I’m not sure if I’ll return. I hope I do, but it’s possible,” the Serbian star admitted.
At 37 years old, Djokovic finds himself navigating unfamiliar territory, entering tournaments with tempered expectations rather than a mindset of domination.
“My expectations weren’t very high, honestly. I just hoped to do better than Monte Carlo – maybe win one more match. It’s a new reality for me, focusing on winning a match or two rather than aiming for deep runs,” Djokovic explained.
“This is a completely different sensation from what I’ve experienced in over 20 years of professional tennis. It’s mentally challenging to adjust to these early exits, but I suppose it’s part of the natural cycle of a career,” he reflected.
While Djokovic has lifted the trophy three times at Roland-Garros, he admits he doesn’t see himself among the favorites this year. However, he believes that might actually work in his favor by easing some pressure.
“My shots, my body, my movement – everything feels different now. That’s the reality I have to accept. I’ll try to maximize what I can, especially at the Grand Slams, where it matters most for me,” he said.
“I’m not heading into Roland-Garros as a top contender. Maybe that will help – we’ll see.”
