Novak Djokovic Sent Packing in Madrid Masters Early Exit

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic suffered a shock early exit from the Madrid Open, losing 6–3, 6–4 to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match.

The unseeded Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, produced a stunning display to secure the biggest win of his career against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic, who turned 37 this month, struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match, committing an unusual number of unforced errors and appearing physically sluggish at times.

Arnaldi, meanwhile, played fearless tennis, using his powerful forehand and solid defensive skills to keep the Serbian star under constant pressure.

This latest defeat marks Djokovic’s third straight loss in two sets and his fourth early exit in five tournaments this season, raising questions about his form just weeks ahead of the French Open, where he is the defending champion.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic admitted he is facing a “new reality” in the twilight of his career.

“I have to accept that I’m not playing at the level I want,” Djokovic said. “At this stage, the focus is on getting ready for the Grand Slams, but it’s not easy when the results are not coming.”

The Madrid Open has already seen several high-profile exits, with Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune also crashing out early, leaving the tournament field wide open.

In contrast, British players Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie have advanced to the third round, providing some unexpected excitement for fans.

Djokovic will now turn his attention to Roland Garros, hoping to rediscover his best form as he chases another historic title.

However, with his recent struggles, the road ahead appears more challenging than ever.