From Novak Djokovic upset to 2026 drought: The wildest tennis turnaround

Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Djokovic is set to return to the Madrid Open after skipping early-season tournaments

Novak Djokovic will be looking for a stronger showing when he returns to the Madrid Open this year.

After missing both the Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic will try to make his return at the Madrid event.

The Serbian has plenty of positive memories from Madrid, where he’s lifted the trophy three times in his career.

Last year didn’t add to that tally, though, as he exited in the first round after losing his only match of the tournament.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Arnaldi’s form has dipped since Madrid upset over Djokovic

Novak Djokovic went into last year’s Madrid Open still looking for his first win on clay in 2025, having already lost his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, seeded fourth, was drawn against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, then ranked No. 44 in the world.

It was the first time the two had ever met on tour, and few people saw what was coming. Arnaldi pulled off a straight-sets win over Djokovic, 6-3, 6-4, handing the Serb his worst result in Madrid since 2018.

The Italian then beat Damir Dzumhur and Frances Tiafoe to reach the quarterfinals before his run ended at the hands of Jack Draper.

That run pushed Arnaldi back into the world’s top 40, but he hasn’t managed to hit those same heights again since then.

The 25-year-old has won just eight main draw matches on the ATP Tour since that week in Spain and is still without a victory so far.

While he has won two qualifying matches this year, Arnaldi is yet to win a main draw match on tour this season. He has managed just one set across five defeats so far this year.