Novak Djokovic retiring soon? Ex-World No.1 drops subtle hint after Madrid Open exit-OxBig News Network

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic dropped subtle hints of retirement after he crashed out of the Madrid Open 2025. On Saturday, April 26, Matteo Arnaldi of Italy defeated the former World No.1 6-3, 6-4, in the Round of 64 at Manolo Santana.

It was Djokovic’s fourth first-round exit in his last five tournaments on the Tour. The only time he went beyond the opening round was in the Miami Open, where he finished as the runner-up after losing to Jakub Mensik in the final.

Prior to Madrid, the 24-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t go beyond the first round at the Qatar Open, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo Masters. After losing to Arnaldi, Djokovic said that he might not return to Madrid next year.

“Obviously, after you lose a match you don’t feel good, but I’ve had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately. I think the positive thing is that I really enjoyed myself more than I have in the Monte-Carlo or some other tournament, so that’s a good thing. But obviously, still level of tennis is not where I would like it to be. But it is what it is. I lost to a better player,” Djokovic told the reporters after the match.

“I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it’s not, but it could be. (It’s) kind of new reality for me, I have to say. You know, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic said.

‘Circle of life’

Djokovic, who will turn 38 in May, is still looking to win his 100th ATP title since his 99th title at the US Open in 2023. The Serb said that he has had his fair share of challenges facing players much younger and agile than him.

“It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments. But that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career, eventually it was going to happen,” Djokovic added.

Before the French Open, Djokovic will get another chance to regain his form in the Italian Open, which is scheduled to get underway on May 7.