ADIOS, NOVAK! — Djokovic bombs out, mulls Madrid Open farewell

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Novak Djokovic admits he may have played his last-ever match at the Madrid Open after he crashed out in his opening round encounter on Saturday while Iga Swiatek advanced to the Last 16 on the women’s side of the draw.

Djokovic’s bid for a 100th career title was scuppered by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who beat the Serbian 6-3, 6-4 in the second round.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic suffered a second consecutive opening defeat, after losing his opener against Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.

Asked if this was his last on-court appearance in the Spanish capital, Djokovic said: “It could be. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”

Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, recorded just the second top-five win of his career and scribbled “OMG” on the camera lens after his landmark victory.

The athletic 24-year-old squandered a 2-0 lead early in the contest but pounced again in the eighth game, breaking the Djokovic serve. The Italian wrapped up the opening set in 48 minutes.

‘But that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career; eventually it was going to happen.’

Djokovic, a three-time champion in Madrid, fired 20 unforced errors in the first frame and finished the contest with a total of 32.

“He’s my idol, he’s always been. I was just glad that I could play with him because I never played with him, I just practiced once with him. So playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me,” said Arnaldi, who showcased an entertaining brand of all-court tennis.

“But, you know, he is not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win. It happened. So right now, I don’t even know what to say.”

The 37-year-old Djokovic conceded he is trying to accept a “new reality,” where he is approaching tournaments with low expectations, given his recent subpar results.

“My expectations were not big at all, to be honest. I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.

“Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament.”

“But that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career; eventually it was going to happen.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Swiatek enjoyed a less stressful third-round win compared to her three-set opener against Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala, needing just one hour and 17 minutes to beat familiar foe Linda Noskova 6-4, 6-2.

“I’m happy with my focus and with the way I kept problem-solving until the end of the match,” said Swiatek, who will face Russian Diana Shnaider in the Round of 16.

Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys was broken while serving for her third-round victory at 5-4 in the second set against Anna Kalinskaya, but recovered to complete a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) victory.

The fifth-seeded Keys lost to Kalinskaya earlier this month in Charleston.

“I knew I had to raise my level after getting a bit of a spanking last time,” Keys said.

American fourth seed Coco Gauff eased past compatriot Ann Li 6-2, 6-3 to set up a Last 16 clash with Swiss Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.

Seventh-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive form at WTA 1000 tournaments this season by storming into the fourth round with a 7-5, 6-3 performance against Polish 27th-seed Magdalena Frech.

The 17-year-old Russian, who won back-to-back titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, will take on Ukrainian qualifier Yulia Starodubtseva for a shot at reaching a second consecutive Madrid quarterfinal.