While Novak Djokovic is preparing horns in the second round of Madrid Open with Matteo Arnaldi, her burgeoning relationship gives an already absorbing collision. The 24-time Grand Slam champion and the three-time Madrid Open winner will be a difficult favorite against the Italian boy Arnaldi, but its playful past gives the match a unique taste.

The couple sparingly crossed their ways on the ATP tour, with his last meeting taking place at the 2023 Paris Masters. Then Djokovic roared past Arnaldi in straight sets (7-5, 6-2), but it was the after-officer who noticed the most eye. Arnaldi, a self-proclaimed Djokovic fan, tried to emulate the iconic divisions of the Serbs during the training in order to be played playfully by the master himself.

Initially, Arnaldi headed for his Instagram history, in addition to one of Spider-Man who made the splits, and marked Djokovic in the caption. He warned the Serbian legend: “@djokernol I come for you.”

Djokovic replied: “First you have to stand online and not in the wall. Then we can speak”, followed by a few laughing facial mojis. The Quip left Arnaldi in red, but emphasized the carefree relationship between the two, a dynamic that could give her Madrid showdown spices.

Arnaldi, who currently has 44th place, was, according to Djokovic, according to Tennis Majors in 2023: “Djokovic has been my idol since I was a child.

This awe was obvious when Arnaldi expressed awe of his hero after her collision in Paris, even if the scoreboard was not nice. “Novak has always been my idol and that’s why I entered the field a bit. It was an incredible feeling to be able to swap the number 1 in the world,” said Arnaldi, who described himself as “Little Novak Djokovic” in the past, said after her game.

The 37 -year -old Djokovic No. 4 in Madrid, who pursues his 100th career title, a milestone that only Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer have reached. He is also just a Grand Slam title from the over control of Margaret Court of 24.

However, his 2025 campaign was not the strongest, which indicates that both goals are not easy to achieve. He suffered a shock from the first round in both Monte Carlo and the Indian Wells and was recently beaten in the Miami Open final.

The defeat against Arnaldi would be Djokovic’s third – something that has not happened since 2018. Her Madrid collision on Saturday is only her second competitive meeting.

The 24 -year -old Arnaldi represents the next generation that the giants he grew up. His forehand taxer style and improved surcharge could worry Djokovic if the rhythm of the Serbs stalls, as in Monte Carlo.

However, Djokovics Clay Court skills, which are occupied by 96 Roland Garros, make it an overwhelming favorite. Fans in Madrid can expect a match that combines violent competition with mutual respect. For Djokovic it is another step to history. For Arnaldi it is an opportunity to prove that he belongs to the same dish as his idol. In any case, it promises a spectacle.