Novak Djokovic Hints At Retirement After Surprising Loss At Madrid Open
NewsSaturday, 26 April 2025 at 23:54
Novak Djokovic hinted at his retirement, which will come sooner or later, after his loss at the 2025 Madrid Open.
Novak Djokovic won't play until he's 50, even though at times, it seemed like he could. The 37-year-old is in incredible shape, making it possible for him to compete with the best even at this age.
What the Serbian player achieved in his tennis career is unprecedented, as he's statistically the most successful male tennis player ever. Still, the age caught up even with him.
Djokovic is currently on a three-match losing streak, most recently losing to Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the 2025 Madrid Open (after having a first-round bye).
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is not used to losing so early, and with his current form, it's not a surprise that he started to think about his future in the sport.
For tennis players like Djokovic, who are able to compete with the best even at 37, the drop in level that could make them start thinking about retirement can come out of nowhere, so that's why it's a situation that even the Serbian player is getting used to.
It's a similar situation that Rafael Nadal had to face when he was asked about retirement almost during every press conference that he held, and Djokovic's current coach, Andy Murray, experienced the same thing.
Djokovic knows that he will have to retire one day, and he hinted that it might come sooner than expected when he said that the loss to Arnaldi could possibly be his last-ever professional tennis match played in Madrid.
"This could have been my last match in Madrid. I don't know if I'll be back. I don't know right now. 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."
Of course, tennis fans will be happy if Djokovic appears in Madrid again. During his press conference, the 99-time ATP titlist admitted that he still feels pressure and excitement when stepping onto the court, which is a positive sign, as it means he still cares for the sport and wants to win.
"Pressure is part of the sport and part of what we do on this highest level, so it's never going to go away, it's just a different kind of pressure. But every time I step on the court I feel the nerves, I feel stress, I feel everything that I guess all the other players feel, and excitement as well. [Competing] became a bit more challenging for me, to be honest. But of course I'll do my best for the future."
Djokovic's next tournament will be the 2025 Italian Open in Rome. He is a six-time champion at the event and played in a total of 12 finals in the Italian capital.
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