Djokovic: "It is a new reality for me, it is the cycle of life"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 26 Apr 2025 | 18.05

Djokovic: "It is a new reality for me, I am facing a mental challenge"

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Just 20 minutes after stepping off the court, Novak Djokovic hurried to the press conference at the Mutua Madrid Open 2025. The defeat in his debut against Matteo Arnaldi is another tough blow for the Serbian, adding to his negative results while still seeking his first victory on clay this season. Definitive and direct, Nole admitted to the media that this may have been his last participation in the Spanish tournament.

Doubts for Roland Garros

"Honestly, no. I wanted to play more matches than I did in Monte Carlo. It's a new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two without thinking about going far in tournaments. It's a completely different feeling from what I've had for over 20 years on the circuit. It's a mental challenge I face on the court. I guess it's the cycle of life.

It was going to happen at some point. I try to use it as motivation for the future. The Grand Slams are the most important tournaments for me, which doesn't mean I don't want to win in Madrid, but that's where I want to play my best tennis. I don't know if I'll be able to do that at Roland Garros, but I'll do everything I can."

A completely different outlook for Djokovic

"It's been 20 years without experiencing what I've been going through in the last 12 months. Early defeats, too many. It's part of the sport, and you have to accept the circumstances, try to make the best of it. I can't sit here and complain about my career, but it's a different feeling that I have to accept. I always try to be optimistic, I know what I'm capable of, but things are different. My shots, my body, my movements... it's a reality I have to accept and give my best with what I have, especially in Grand Slams. We'll see what happens."

Pressure and the Grand Slams

"Pressure is part of the sport, part of what we do at these levels, it never goes away, although now it's a different kind of pressure. Every time I step on the court, I feel nerves, I feel the pressure other players feel, also the excitement. I still enjoy competing; it has become more challenging, honestly, but I'll give it my all in the upcoming Grand Slams. I'm not going to Roland Garros as one of the favorites. Maybe that will help."

Is this his last match in Madrid?

"It could be, I'm not sure if I'll return. I don't know. I will definitely come back, but I'm not sure as a player. I hope it's not my last match here, but it could be."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Es una nueva realidad para mí, es el ciclo de la vida"