Not Showdown against Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic shares toughest moment of his career as defeat to Stan Wawrinka in Roland Garros 2015 says, 'was one of my most painful defeats'

Returning to the iconic Magic Box after a two-year absence, Novak Djokovic touched down at the Mutua Madrid Open with all eyes on him. The absence of Carlos Alcaraz has left a void at the tournament, but it’s one the Serbian legend is more than ready to fill. A three-time champion in Madrid, Djokovic used his pre-tournament press conference not just to discuss current matters but to open up about one of the toughest moments of his career and to reflect on his legacy in the sport.

Remembering the 2015 Roland Garros Final Loss to Wawrinka

While many might assume Djokovic’s most painful losses came at the hands of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, the world No. 1 pointed elsewhere — to his defeat against Stan Wawrinka at the 2015 Roland Garros final.

"It was one of my most painful defeats because at that time I had not yet won Roland Garros and the absence of Nadal gave me many opportunities to win it for the first time. But then Stan Wawrinka played incredible tennis, sometimes we joke about that final and I tell him that the reason he played so well in that final was because of his pants."

Despite the heartache, Djokovic holds Wawrinka in the highest regard.

"In all seriousness, he is an incredible player and I admire him a lot as a person. I think he is one of the most underrated players. He has won a gold medal at the Olympics, three Grand Slams. He has had an incredible career, he is 40 years old, with knee operations and still plays tennis."

The loss delayed Djokovic’s dream of completing a career Grand Slam, something he later achieved — but the memory of that day in Paris remains vivid.

Djokovic on a Possible Team-Up with Juan Martín del Potro

Another intriguing topic Djokovic touched on was the possibility of working alongside Juan Martín del Potro in the future. The two share a deep mutual respect, and the idea of a collaboration isn’t completely off the table.

"For now, I am happy with my team, but you never know about the future. Del Potro is a great friend, I really like his values, and I had the honor of being at his farewell match in Argentina and being the last player he competed against. And it meant a lot to me when he came to see me in Miami and was in my box, so you never know."

While there’s nothing official yet, Djokovic’s comments suggest the door remains open.

The Heavy Sacrifices Behind Tennis Stardom

Djokovic also offered a heartfelt insight into the emotional and physical toll that comes with being one of the best in the world at an individual sport like tennis.

"This is an individual sport, and you need to be always at 100% physically and mentally. The energy a tennis player needs in their professional career goes beyond hitting balls on the court. It takes up a lot of your time and many years of your life."

Acknowledging the privilege of doing what he loves, Djokovic didn’t shy away from mentioning the personal costs.

"It's okay because ultimately it's your choice. We are fortunate to do what we love. Many of us love this sport and are rewarded for it. But at the same time, it's not easy because you face many challenges and have to cope with the length of a tennis season, which has the longest calendar in sports, spending a lot of time away from home without seeing your family. It depends on each person, but it drains you a lot, even though you are doing something you are passionate about."

As Djokovic steps into the Madrid spotlight, with Alcaraz sidelined, it’s clear he remains not only one of tennis’s fiercest competitors but also one of its most thoughtful voices.