Novak Djokovic said he had to face up to his “new reality” after another opening-match loss, this time to world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,

The 37-year-old has already explained why he’s against doing so and, after his defeat to Arnaldi, said he had to accept his “new reality” of early exits. And a US politician has now waded into the debate, claiming Djokovic has nothing left to prove.

On Saturday, the 4-seed Djokovic took on unseeded Matteo Arnaldi in their first-ever meeting. Arnaldi defeated Djokovic in straight sets during their second-round match at the Madrid Open: 6-3, 6-4.