Novak Djokovic's torrid 2018 continued as he exited the Madrid Open in the second round following defeat to Brit Kyle Edmund.

The Serb's disappointing year continued as he slumped to a 3-6, 6-2, 3-6 defeat.

Enduring a miserable spell of form, Djokovic has failed to win every deciding set he's played in 2018, while he has also lost as many matches as he has won.

The 30-year-old had never previously dropped a set to Edmund, but slumped to a disappointing defeat in the Spanish capital.

Speaking afterwards, the three-time Wimbledon champion revealed his disappointment as a poor year of tennis continued ahead of competitions at Roland Garros, Queen's, and then Wimbledon.

"Well, you know, look, there are obvious things that are not working well for me.

"But I have to keep working on them and pray that - and hope that - my game will get stronger, get better, definitely as the matches go the distance.

"Especially, such big tournaments against quality players, you've got to, you know, step in. I tried but obviously, yeah, wasn't to be to today. Hopefully, next one.

"It's not the end of the world. Obviously, I've played this sport so many years and had a bunch of success. I try to always remind myself and be grateful for that.

"At the same time, nobody is forcing me to play this sport. I do it because I like it. I want to do it. And that's something also that makes me fortunate, you know, to play the sport.

"So, you know, that's where I draw my strength. And, you know, as long as I keep going, as long as I love the sport, I'll keep going. And that's all it is."

Djokovic now has 18 days of rest before he will aim to break his poor form as play gets underway at Roland Garros.