“Kind of new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” said Novak Djokovic after his early exit in Madrid. That line hit differently coming from the 24-time Grand Slam champion. And the struggle is real. Djokovic hasn’t won a single match in over a month. His last victory came way back on March 28 in the semifinals of the Miami Open. Since then, he’s posted a 12-7 record in 2025. For fans hoping he’d reset at the Italian Open, that hope has officially faded as he has withdrawn from the tournament. And now, Serena Williams’ former coach is making her feelings known on this worrying trend.

Novak Djokovic has yet to win a match on clay this season. At Monte Carlo, he was the No. 3 seed but lost his opening match to Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-4. Then came Madrid. Seeded fourth, he had a first-round bye but crashed out in the second round to Matteo Arnaldi with the same score—6-3, 6-4. Two tournaments. Zero wins. Not the kind of warm-up you’d expect ahead of Roland Garros.

On Tuesday, the former World No.1 announced his withdrawal from the Italian Open. The news stung because it breaks an 18-year-long attendance streak. Since 2007, Djokovic has played every single edition in Rome. The 37-year-old has lifted the trophy six times (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2022), only behind Rafael Nadal’s 10-title tally. This year, Rome will have to go on without him.

This withdrawal also has Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs weighing in with just 2 words. The Australian took to X and wrote, “Worry Index.”

Stubbs has made “Worry Index” a segment on her podcast, ‘The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast’. It’s a category she uses for players who need to reset their season. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff have made the list. Now, Djokovic joins the club.

After his Madrid exit, Stubbs didn’t hold back. “The worry index continues for Novak, as I pointed out on my latest podcast. He’s making way too many unforced errors (32 today) & NOT locking down in the biggest moments. Guys are not intimidated anymore because of that & that’s the biggest key for these players, they see/feel it,” she posted on X. She doubled down on her concern and wrote, “When you lose your aura, and in turn are NOT locking down & making these guys suffer, like double-faulting 2 x in a row to drop serve in the 1st set. U would never see that from Nole at his best. How do u get that confidence back? U have to win & I worry the motivation is gone.”

The Serbian himself added a twist of uncertainty after Madrid.

Novak Djokovic hints at retirement after Madrid Open heartbreak

Novak Djokovic is on the cusp of joining an elite group of players with over 100 career titles, alongside Jimmy Connors (109 titles) and Roger Federer (103). However, his loss in Madrid made it clear that his future in tennis isn’t defined by numbers alone. Father Time comes for everyone. The fight moving forward would be just as much about conquering time itself as it would be about outplaying his opponents on the court.

When the Serbian was asked if this was his last appearance at the Spanish capital, he gave a cryptic answer. Djokovic said, “It could be. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know, I don’t know what to say. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”

With Rome off the calendar, the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s next stop will be Roland Garros, starting May 25. But for the first time since 2006, he’ll arrive in Paris without a solid clay-court performance behind him. He has reached the quarterfinals or better at either Monte Carlo, Madrid, or Rome every year since his debut. That’s a stat that speaks volumes.

Djokovic has always found a way to bounce back. But this time feels different. Is this just a slump or are we watching the final act of a legend? What do you think?