MADRID — Novak Djokovic admitted he is confronting a "new reality" after suffering another early exit, this time at the Madrid Open, marking his second consecutive tournament without a win.
The world No. 1 fell to Czech qualifier Jiří Lehečka 6-4, 7-6(6) in the third round, a result that follows his shock defeat to Luca Nardi at Indian Wells in March. Djokovic, who has dominated men’s tennis for over a decade, acknowledged his struggles in a post-match press conference.
A Season of Uncharacteristic Struggles
Djokovic’s 2024 campaign has been far from his usual dominance. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has yet to win a title this year, a stark contrast to his record-breaking 2023 season, where he claimed three majors and the ATP Finals.
Key factors contributing to his dip in form include:
- A lack of match sharpness due to a limited schedule
- Physical adjustments after minor wrist and elbow discomfort
- The rising confidence of younger opponents like Lehečka and Nardi
Djokovic reflected candidly: "I’m not playing at the level I’m used to. It’s a new reality for me, and I have to accept it while working to improve."
Lehečka Capitalizes on Djokovic’s Errors
The 22-year-old Lehečka, ranked No. 31, played fearlessly, exploiting Djokovic’s uncharacteristic 28 unforced errors. The Czech saved a set point in the second-set tiebreak before closing out the biggest win of his career.
"I knew I had to be aggressive," Lehečka said post-match. "Against Novak, if you hesitate, he destroys you. I stuck to my game and trusted my shots."
Djokovic’s Serve Abandoned Him
A telling statistic was Djokovic’s first-serve percentage, which plummeted to 54%, well below his career average of 65%. He faced 10 break points, saving only six, while Lehečka saved all four against his own serve.
The Road Ahead: Roland Garros in Doubt?
With the French Open just weeks away, Djokovic’s preparation is now under scrutiny. The Serbian has historically used Madrid and Rome as key warm-ups for Paris, but his early exits raise questions.
Tennis analyst Darren Cahill noted: "Novak’s aura of invincibility is fading. Younger players no longer fear him, and that’s a mental hurdle he hasn’t faced in years."
Djokovic remains optimistic but pragmatic: "I’ll take it tournament by tournament. Right now, I need matches, but I also need to find my best tennis."
The Bigger Picture: A Changing Guard?
Djokovic’s struggles coincide with the ascent of a new generation. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune have all beaten him in the past year, signaling a potential shift in men’s tennis.
Former coach Boris Becker warned against writing off Djokovic: "He’s been written off before—after injuries, after 2017—and he always comes back stronger. Never underestimate his ability to adapt."
However, the numbers tell a concerning story:
- 0-2 in his last two tournaments
- Only 14 matches played in 2024 (compared to 28 at this stage in 2023)
- No finals reached since November 2023
Conclusion: A Test of Resilience
Djokovic faces arguably his toughest mental challenge since returning from injury in 2018. How he responds will define the next chapter of his legendary career.
As he left Madrid, his words lingered: "This is sport. You lose more than you win. The key is how you come back." The tennis world now waits to see if the greatest returner can stage one more comeback.