Matteo Arnaldi notched his career-best victory within the second spherical of the Madrid Masters! The younger Italian confronted his idol Novak Djokovic and secured a rock-solid 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 41 minutes. Thus, Matteo fulfilled his dream.
Arnaldi has been watching Djokovic since he was 9. He tried to play like his idol and received an opportunity to coach with him in Rome three years in the past. Now, Matteo is among the many gamers who defeated the best participant of all time, and he couldn’t be happier!
👆 @mattearnalds 👆
Arnaldi with elite level development within the early exchanges @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/30euASxpiR
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2025
The Italian shook off an preliminary scare and offered high-quality tennis. Whereas admitting Novak is just not at his finest, Matteo nonetheless wanted to play properly to beat him. The youthful participant denied 4 of 5 break factors and clinched all three probabilities on the return.
Arnaldi had the higher hand in service winners and essentially the most prolonged rallies. Djokovic lacked his typical killer intuition on the return and extra stamina within the important moments. The Italian took seven factors extra after touchdown 21 winners and 18 unforced errors.
Matteo Arnaldi, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak counted 32 errors, 20 within the opener when he tried to play aggressive tennis and impose his strokes. They traded early breaks, and Arnaldi felt good about stealing the rival's serve first. The Italian landed a forehand winner within the fifth recreation and saved a break probability.
Djokovic reached a deuce on the return in recreation seven earlier than lacking a recreation level within the subsequent one. The veteran confronted a double fault on a break level and gave his serve away. Novak missed a backhand at 3-5, permitting Matteo to clinch the opener in 48 minutes.
Novak Djokovic, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak served properly early within the second set however failed to use the strain on the opposite facet and create break probabilities. Arnaldi stepped in on the return in recreation seven and welcomed the rival's errors on the internet for a break and a 4-3 benefit.
Djokovic might have erased the deficit within the subsequent one. Nevertheless, he wasted three break probabilities and despatched his opponent 5-3 in entrance. The Serb served to remain within the match in recreation 9 and landed a winner on the internet for a maintain at love.
Matteo served for the win at 5-4 and confirmed no signal of nerves. He generated three match factors with a compelled error and hit a service winner on the second to sail excessive and rejoice his career-best win.
Matteo Arnaldi, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
"Going through Novak and beating him is a dream come true! He has at all times been my idol, and I educated with him as soon as in Rome. Now, I managed to share the court docket with him and win. That makes it a double pleasure. Novak is just not enjoying at his finest, however I’ve to carry my A-game to beat him.
I attempted to not get scared initially, and I settled and felt higher because the match progressed. I wanted to clinch an early break as I knew he would reply. Staying on the constructive facet gave me confidence.
I’ve been watching Novak since I used to be 9 or 10, and I’ve at all times tried to play like him. All the things went completely for me, and I have no idea what to say," Matteo Arnaldi mentioned.
