Djokovic's ranking is an irrelevance to his wider tennis ambitions but now more than ever, he needs it to help him achieve them.

Novak Djokovic headed into the Madrid Open eyeing a move into the top four of the ATP Rankings, but he is in danger of moving backwards after his surprise defeat against Matteo Arnaldi. A brutally honest Djokovic suggested he was facing a “new reality” after slumping to a third straight defeat as he was beaten by unseeded Italian Arnaldi in the Spanish capital.

Novak Djokovic has had a lengthy career of dominance. He's won every significant title and has the most Grand Slams of all time. But nothing lasts forever. The Serbian suffered a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic lost to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Saturday, extending the 24-time Grand Slam winner's struggles on clay ahead of Roland Garros.

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,