Novak Djokovic said he had to face up to his “new reality” after another opening-match loss, this time to world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic said in a news conference Saturday of his expectations going into events in 2025.

Matteo Arnaldi notched his career-best victory in the second round of the Madrid Masters! The young Italian faced his idol Novak Djokovic and secured a rock-solid 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 41 minutes.

Novak Djokovic lost to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Saturday, extending the 24-time Grand Slam winner's struggles on clay ahead of Roland Garros.