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.

Novak Djokovic acknowledged he may have played his last match in Madrid after losing to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round. This defeat marks his fourth consecutive early exit, prompting reflections on his future in professional tennis.

Novak Djokovic has confessed that he may have just played his last match at the Madrid Masters after falling to Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. The Serb has now lost his opening match at four of his last five events – with the exception being a run to the final at the Miami Open.