“I’ll come back, maybe not as a player”: Novak Djokovic drops retirement hint, admits Madrid Open return up in the air

Novak Djokovic dropped a potential retirement hint after a surprising loss at the 2025 Madrid Open, admitting he may not return as a player. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was ousted by Matteo Arnaldi, falling 6-3, 6-4, in a defeat that mirrored recent struggles on clay.

Djokovic, who had shown flashes of form during his Miami run earlier this year, couldn’t find answers against the rising Italian star. Reflecting on the match, the Serbian legend left the door open about his future at the tournament:

“It could be. I’m not sure if I’ll come back. Maybe I will, but not as a player. I hope that’s not the case, but it could be,” Djokovic said after the match.

Despite coming into Madrid with low expectations, Djokovic confessed he still hoped for a deeper run. Instead, he acknowledged a new reality—one where winning even a match or two might be considered an achievement, a stark contrast to his career norm of chasing titles.

“Expectations weren’t big, to be honest. I was just hoping to play one more match than I did in Monte-Carlo. It’s a completely different feeling after more than 20 years of professional tennis,” Djokovic said. “Mentally, it’s a challenge to face this stage where early exits are becoming more common.”

Still, Djokovic remains determined to give his best at Grand Slam events:

“Of course I wanted to win here. But Grand Slams are my priority now. I don’t know if I’ll be able to peak at Roland Garros, but I’ll certainly try.”

Match Statistics: Arnaldi vs. Djokovic