Novak Djokovic has won the Madrid Open three times (Image: Getty)
As Novak Djokovic prepares to lock horns with Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open, their budding relationship adds a layer of intrigue to an already absorbing clash. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, and three-time Madrid Open winner, will be heavy favourite against Italian youngster Arnaldi, but their playful past gives the match a unique flavour.
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,” followed by 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.”
Matteo Arnaldi is looking to get one over on his idol Djokovic (Image: Getty)
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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 topple the giants he grew up watching. His forehand-heavy style and improved serve could trouble Djokovic if the Serb’s rhythm falters, as it did briefly in Monte Carlo.
However, Djokovic’s clay-court prowess – evidenced by 96 Roland Garros wins – makes him the overwhelming favourite. Fans in Madrid can expect a match that blends fierce competition with mutual respect. For Djokovic, it’s another step towards history. For Arnaldi, it’s a chance to prove he belongs on the same court as his idol. Either way, it promises to be a spectacle.
