Novak Djokovic said he had to face up to his “new reality” after another opening-match loss, this time to world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic said in a news conference Saturday of his expectations going into events in 2025.

Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Italian Open in the midst of a three-match losing streak, casting doubt on his participation in next month's French Open.

Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the Italian Open, which is scheduled to start on May 7, 2025, a decision that has shocked the tennis world. Long-time ruler of Rome’s clay courts, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will enter the French Open later this month without a single match victory on clay in 2025.