Matteo Arnaldi vs Novak Djokovic Preview & Prediction | 2025 Madrid Open | Second Round

Former world number one Novak Djokovic kicks off his title bid against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid.

Ranking points: ATP 1000

Start date/time: Saturday 26th April, 2025: UK – not before 2.30pm / US ET – not before 9.30am / US PT – not before 6.30am

Venue: Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Matteo Arnaldi vs Novak Djokovic ticket information

Matteo Arnaldi vs Novak Djokovic prediction

Matteo Arnaldi picked up a well-timed first clay win of the year at the third time of asking to set up arguably the biggest match of his career against Novak Djokovic.

The 24-year-old ended a three-match losing streak with a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory over qualifier Borna Coric in the first round but will need the performance his life to upset the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic will still be smarting from an instant loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and will want to get his Roland-Garros preparations back on track. 

The Serb is a three-time champion in Madrid but is featuring at the tournament for the first time since 2022 when he reached the last four.

Arnaldi has won four of his 16 meetings with a top ten players so will offer some threat if the veteran Serb is way below par as he was in Monte Carlo.

The Djoker may not have the same indestructible aura nowadays but you would be a fool to back against him although there may be great value in Arnaldi winning a set or pushing it over 19.5 games. 

Matteo Arnaldi vs Novak Djokovic tip: Novak Djokovic to win