Everyone has their eye on Novak Djokovic at the Mutua Madrid Open. And not without good reason.
The first is that the most decorated player of all time is back in the Caja Magica after a three-year absence. The second is that the Serb arrives in the Spanish capital on the back of losing his opener in three of his last four tournaments. Then there is the fact that Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal today through a muscle injury pushes the player from Belgrade further into the limelight. Finally, Madrid might just provide the stage for a very special century for him. In short, there is reason aplenty to follow Nole’s movements this fortnight.
On the verge of his 38th birthday (22 May) Djokovic is still resisting retirement. He is the last member of the Big Three standing and, despite not having won a title on Tour since the ATP Finals in November 2023 in Turin, nothing can keep him from playing at the biggest events.
“I can’t wait to play here because people give me a lot of support. I’ve felt great in recent practice sessions and I got a lot of positive energy from people. I hope to use it to play well here”, said the former world number one on Thursday in a press conference in Madrid, where he will play his opener on Saturday against the winner of the clash between Borna Coric and Matteo Arnaldi. “All the facilities here, all the stadiums are beautiful and the atmosphere is really electric, above all when you play at night”.
Andy Murray’s understudy touches down in Madrid after a hesitant start to the season. At the Australian Open he had to withdraw in the semi-finals because of a muscle injury and since then, apart from the final in Miami – where he lost to young Czech player Jakub Mensik-, he has bowed out in his opener in Doha, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo. “I always have a good level of tennis when I play here. Now I’m looking for my best level, particularly for Roland Garros”, Nole added when he addressed the press.
Absent from Madrid since 2022, the Serb is bidding for his fourth crown on the Spanish clay (2011, 2016 and 2019). Victory in the Caja Magica would allow him to finally reach 100 ATP Tour titles and become only the third player in history to have a century of wins, after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
Djokovic is struggling to get over that particular line, having lost the last three finals (not counting the 2024 Olympic final in Paris) he has played in: Wimbledon and Shanghai 2024 and Miami 2025.
A message of encouragement for Carlitos
Djokovic also had a few words for Carlos Alcaraz, who a couple of hours earlier had announced to a media scrum that he was withdrawing from the Mutua Madrid Open because of a hamstring injury he picked up in the Barcelona final.
“It’s not good news for the tournament because Carlos is the biggest star here in recent years. The fans give him a lot of strength to play well. A few weeks ago he won in Monte Carlo and then he reached the final in Barcelona, so it is not surprising he has injury problems”, said Djokovic. “Carlos’ tennis level is very high. I think at his age he has achieved more than any of us. And he has a long time to reach the pinnacle of our sport’s history”.
