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.

Novak Djokovic will not be playing in the Rome Open (Italian Open also known as Internazionali BNL d'Italia) between 7-18 May, 2025 with the former World No.1 seemingly only playing Roland Garros now on his clay court quest.

"This could be my final match in Madrid. I'm not sure if I will come back. I do not know what to say. I hope to return to Caja Magica as a player, but nothing is certain," Novak Djokovic said.