Novak Djokovic speaks on ‘new reality' after yet another early tournament exit at Madrid Open

24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic admitted that this new phase of his career, where early tournament exits are becoming a theme, is a new experience for him and one that he might have to get used to as time goes on. Djokovic dropped a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Italian Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open on Saturday in the second round.

“It could be. It could be,” Djokovic replied when asked if it could be his final foray in Madrid. “I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know, I don’t know what to say.

“I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”

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“I was hoping I could play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo,” he added. “Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament.

Djokovic admitted that this phase has been tough for him to adjust and that now his thinking veers towards surviving early rounds in a tournament rather than wanting to win the whole event.

Novak Djokovic leaves the court after losing against Matteo Arnaldi during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid. (AP Photo) Novak Djokovic leaves the court after losing against Matteo Arnaldi during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid. (AP Photo)

“It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.

“But that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career, eventually it was going to happen. Now I’m trying to use this as a driving force for the future.”

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The Serbian reiterated that winning Grand Slams was still the priority but he wasn’t sure if he would be able to perform at the same level he has done for the last twenty years at the upcoming French Open.

“Obviously grand slams, I was saying many times, are the most important tournaments for me. Which doesn’t mean that I don’t want to win here, of course I wanted to, but grand slams are where I really want to play the best tennis. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that in Roland Garros, but I’ll do my best.”

“[For] 20 years, I didn’t experience what I’m experiencing in the last 12 months,” Djokovic said. “Early exits and way too many. But it is part of the sport, and you have to accept the circumstances and try to make the best out of the circumstances in your favour for whatever is coming up.”

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