Djokovic Stunned by Qualifier in Rome Return

Novak Djokovic was beaten by qualifier Dino Prizmic in the second round of the Italian Open, marking his return to action. The world number four Djokovic was playing his first match since March 12, and his first of the year on clay, after missing several tournaments due to a shoulder injury. A six-time champion in Rome, Djokovic initially started strong but seemed to struggle with illness during the second set. Croatia's Prizmic, who played courageously, took advantage of Djokovic's difficulties, overpowering him with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

After the match, the 20-year-old Prizmic expressed his admiration for Djokovic by writing "Nole it was a pleasure" on the camera lens. Djokovic, who had received a first-round bye in Italy, stated that he will not compete again until the French Open begins on May 24, where he aims to capture his record-setting 25th Grand Slam singles title. "I’m not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far," the 38-year-old Djokovic remarked. "I don’t recall the last time I had a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with."

Djokovic reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros the previous year and was a finalist at the Australian Open in January, losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz. He will turn 39 two days before the French Open starts. In their previous meeting at the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic had triumphed over Prizmic and described it as "like playing myself in a mirror."

This time, Djokovic began strongly, losing only three points on his serve to secure a quick first set. However, Prizmic responded with powerful serves and forehands, winning four consecutive games to dominate the second set. Djokovic’s sluggishness hampered his performance, and he attempted drop shots to quicken the exchanges, yet Prizmic countered effectively with 13 winners leading to a decisive third set.

As the third set commenced, Djokovic seemed to find more energy, but Prizmic continued to excel in baseline exchanges. After taking a 3-2 lead, Djokovic displayed visible frustration. Nonetheless, Prizmic remained composed, hitting powerful groundstrokes and finishing the match with an ace to seal one of the biggest victories of his career. Remarkably, this marked Prizmic's second top-ten win in as many weeks, following his victory over world number six Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open last month.