Djokovic hints at Madrid farewell after crashing out in second round

MADRID - Three-time champion Novak Djokovic may have played at the Madrid Open for the last time after crashing out in the second round to Italian Matteo Arnaldi on April 26, with the Serbian admitting he did not know if he would return.

Arnaldi beat fourth seed Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round. The result condemned the 37-year-old, who received a bye in the opening round, to his third consecutive defeat.

Djokovic, who has been chasing a 100th tour-level title, was handed a shock defeat in Miami Open final in late March before his second-round Monte Carlo exit earlier this month.

All three defeats came in straight sets.

Obviously after you lose a match you dont feel good, but Ive had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately, Djokovic told a press conference.

I think the positive thing is that I really enjoyed myself more than I have in the Monte-Carlo or some other tournament, so thats 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, who made his Madrid debut in 2006 and won the tournament in 2011, 2016 and 2019, was looking for his first win on clay since defeating Carlos Alcaraz to win gold at the Paris Olympics.

Asked whether he just played his last match in Madrid, Djokovic said: It could be. It could be. Im not sure if I will come back. So, I dont know, I dont know what to say.

I mean, Ill come back, maybe not as a player. I hope its not, but it could be.

Djokovic won three out of the four major titles in 2023 but has