Sport
Novak Djokovic left Madrid Open opponent red-faced after his warning, exchanged messages online
Novak Djokovic will face Matteo Arnaldi in his opening encounter at the Madrid Open, two years after their first meeting, following which they exchanged messages online.
As Novak Djokovic prepares to face Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open, their blossoming relationship adds spice to an already compelling match. The 24-time Grand Slam champion and three-time Madrid Open winner will be a huge favourite against Italian prodigy Arnaldi, but their light-hearted history lends the match a certain feel.
The pair have crossed paths sparingly on the ATP Tour, with their last meeting coming at the 2023 Paris Masters. Then, Djokovic breezed past Arnaldi in straight sets (7-5, 6-2), but it was the post-match banter that caught the eye most. Arnaldi, a self-professed Djokovic fan, attempted to emulate the Serb’s iconic splits during practice, only to be playfully trolled by the master himself.
To begin with, Arnaldi reposted a picture of himself, next to one of Spider-Man doing the splits, to his Instagram story, and tagged Djokovic in the caption. He warned the Serbian legend: “@djokernole I’m coming for you.”
Djokovic replied: “First, you need to be facing the net and not the wall. Then we can talk,” followedb y a couple of laughing face emojis. The quip left Arnaldi red-faced but highlighted the lighthearted rapport between the two, a dynamic that could add spice to their Madrid showdown.
Arnaldi, currently ranked No. 44, has been vocal about his admiration for Djokovic, telling Tennis Majors in 2023: “Djokovic has been my idol since I was a child. I grew up watching him, trying to copy his moves, his focus.”
This reverence was evident when, after their clash in Paris, Arnaldi expressed awe at facing his hero, even if the scoreboard wasn’t kind. “Novak has always been my idol and that’s why I entered the field a bit tense. It was an incredible feeling to be able to trade with the No. 1 in the world,” Arnaldi, who has branded himself ‘little Novak Djokovic’ in the past, said after their match.
World No. 4 Djokovic, now 37, enters Madrid chasing his 100th career title, a milestone that only Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer have achieved. He’s also just one Grand Slam title away from surpassing Margaret Court’s record of 24.
However, his 2025 campaign hasn’t been the strongest, suggesting that both targets won’t be easy to reach. He suffered shock first-round eliminations in both Monte Carlo and Indian Wells, and was recently beaten in the final of the Miami Open.
Defeat against Arnaldi would be Djokovic’s third on the bounce – something that hasn’t happened since 2018. Their Madrid clash, which takes place on Saturday, marks only their second competitive meeting.
Arnaldi, 24, represents the next generation, eager to dethrone the legends he grew up admiring. His forehand-heavy approach and improved serve could cause Djokovic’s rhythm to falter, as it did briefly in Monte Carlo.
However, Djokovic’s clay-court dominance, as proven by 96 Roland Garros victories, makes him the clear favourite. Fans in Madrid may expect a match that combines fierce competition and mutual respect. For Djokovic, it’s another step towards history. For Arnaldi, it’s an opportunity to show that he belongs on the same court as his idol. Regardless, it promises to be a spectacle.
