Djokovic Faces 'New Reality' After Madrid Loss

The 37-year-old Djokovic came to Spain after also losing his opener at the Monte Carlo Masters

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MADRID: After losing a second straight opening match and three in a row overall, Novak Djokovic said he was facing a "new reality" in his two decades of pro tennis.

Djokovic's public coming to terms with his rare losing streak came after he fell in straight sets to Matteo Arnaldi in his first match of the Madrid Open on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Djokovic came to Spain after also losing his opener to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago and, before that, the Miami Open final.

"I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo. (It's) kind of a new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament," Djokovic said.

The struggles by the winner of 24 Grand Slam titles coincide with the start of the clay-court swing culminating in the French Open next month.

"It's a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis," he said.

"It's a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in tournaments."