Novak Djokovic Makes Shocking Retirement Claims After Madrid Exit
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is under a cloud of issues and problems. The Serbian tennis star is supposed to be one of the favorites in whatever tournament he competes in. However, the 2025 season has brought a strange transition for the Serb, as he has constantly experienced early exits throughout the season.
Djokovic’s only major silver lining was losing to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. However, his recent results have been a sorry one. He has yet to win a clay-court match this season. The Serb has lost back-to-back opening-round matches in Monte Carlo and Madrid. He has lost three consecutive Masters 1000 matches for the first time since 2018. Interestingly, he won two Grand Slams and finished the season as World No. 1 that year.
What Did Novak Djokovic Say After Madrid Loss?
Djokovic was speaking at the post-match press conference at the Madrid Open. The Serb confessed that he is experiencing a different feeling from the last 20 years. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis. It’s a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now, regularly, in tournaments. It could be [my last match in Madrid], it could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know, I don’t know what to say.” Djokovic said, as reported by the News.
“I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it’s not, but it could be.” Djokovic added. The 37-year-old has not won an ATP title this season, with his best result coming at the Miami Open. Apart from that, his silver lining was reaching the Australian Open semifinal, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets despite being injured. However, the reset in expectations is something that doesn’t go well with him and his fans. Many believe that he should have retired after winning the Olympic Gold medal.
The Disastrous Decline Since 2024
Djokovic’s last ATP title was the ATP Finals in 2023, where he beat Jannik Sinner in the final. However, the Serb has only won an Olympic Gold medal since then. The Serb reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Alcaraz in straight sets. Apart from that, the Serb couldn’t replicate the kind of performances that made him reach the top for over a decade.
Since winning the Olympic Gold, Djokovic has been seeking his 100th ATP title. He has come closest in Miami but is still waiting to achieve that number. However, the Serbian is adamant that he wants to perform at his maximum potential at Grand Slams. Roland Garros is approaching, where the Serb is a three-time champion. However, his lack of preparation is a huge question mark itself. He will be able to improve his preparation at the Rome Masters, the final Masters 1000 event on clay.
Final Thoughts
When Djokovic hired Andy Murray as his new coach, many people thought that the British icon would bring the Serb close to major honors. Although it’s still too soon to tell, the Serbian has not improved on his performances from last season. With Roland Garros approaching, the 24-time Grand Slam champion needs a miracle to achieve his landmark 25th Grand Slam title.
