Novak Djokovic is set for a Madrid Open return, and the tennis world is watching. After skipping the Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters, the Serbian legend will look to rediscover his winning form on the clay courts where he's a three-time champion.

But last year's tournament holds a painful memory. Djokovic arrived in Madrid seeking his first clay-court win of the season and was unexpectedly stunned in his opening match by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, then ranked 44th in the world. Arnaldi's commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory marked Djokovic's earliest exit in Madrid since 2018.

That win sparked a brilliant run for Arnaldi, who powered into the quarterfinals, propelling him to a career-high ranking of World No. 30. It was the kind of breakthrough performance that defines a player's season.

Fast forward to 2026, and the narrative has dramatically shifted. Arnaldi is now in the midst of a severe slump, still searching for his first ATP Tour main-draw win of the year. With a 0-5 record in main draws and his ranking plummeted to 105th, he faces a steep climb just to enter the Madrid main draw via qualifying.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Nearly a third of Arnaldi's current ranking points are from that spectacular 2025 Madrid run. Failure to defend them could see his ranking take another significant hit, making this a pivotal moment for the young Italian's season and confidence.

As Djokovic aims for a triumphant comeback, all eyes will also be on the qualifying rounds, where Arnaldi fights not just for a spot in the tournament, but to recapture the magic that once made him a giant-killer.