Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis resulted in a shock defeat as Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic claimed a stunning victory at the Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday. The top-four ranked player, competing for the first time since 12 March and his initial clay-court competition of the year following a shoulder injury, lost to the 20-year-old 2-6 6-2 6-4 in the second round. Despite starting brightly, Djokovic appeared laboured and struggled with illness as the match continued, unable to recapture the form that has made him a six-time title holder in the Italian capital. The defeat marks a significant setback for the 38-year-old Serbian star ahead of the French Open, which commences on 24 May.
Prizmic’s Pivotal Achievement
Dino Prizmic’s victory marks a pivotal juncture in the player’s burgeoning career, affording the 20-year-old with his second top-10 victory in the past fortnight following his notable victory over sixth-ranked Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open. The unseeded competitor showed remarkable composure across the match, notably when attempting to close out in the third set, where he remained unfazed despite the magnitude of the occasion. His strong baseline shots and dominant service game were too strong for a visibly struggling Djokovic, with 13 winners across the second set demonstrating his offensive mindset and technical excellence on the clay courts.
What made Prizmic’s display all the more impressive was his willingness to engage in baseline rallies and his drive to track down Djokovic’s drop shots—a strategic method that neutralised the veteran’s efforts to cut short points. The youngster, who idolises Djokovic and has previously lost to him at the Australian Open in 2024, showed no signs of being overawed by his opponent’s legendary status. After securing the win with an ace down the wide, Prizmic wrote “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens, a courteous act that captured the moment’s significance for a player still establishing himself among tennis’s elite.
- Second successive top-10 victory after beating Ben Shelton in Madrid
- Hit 13 winners in the second-set period to seize control of the match
- Remained composed whilst playing out the biggest win of his career
- Paid respectful tribute to his idol Djokovic following the triumph
Djokovic’s Difficulty on Return
Novak Djokovic’s comeback to professional tennis proved far more challenging than anticipated, with the world number four unable to build on an promising opening against the resolute Croatian challenger. After a extended break dating back to 12 March, the Serbian champion had hoped to shake off the rust of his shoulder injury on the clay courts of Rome, where he remains a six-time champion. Instead, he found himself increasingly laboured as the match advanced, shuffling slowly around the baseline and resorting to drop shots in a desperate attempt to shorten rallies. What started as a commanding first-set performance, where Djokovic dropped just three points on serve, quickly unravelled as Prizmic took control with four consecutive games in the second-set stretch.
The impact of his prolonged time away grew clear as the match wore on, with Djokovic appearing to struggle with a virus during the second set. Both players left court before the final set, though the respite seemed to give Prizmic with more benefit than the defending title holder. Despite displaying moments of fresh vigour at the start of the deciding set, Djokovic failed to regain control of the baseline rallies. His frustration mounted clearly—evident in an angry outburst at the final changeover —as Prizmic’s sustained attacking play and eagerness to pursue down drop shots proved beyond the capabilities of a player clearly not yet at peak condition or match sharpness.
Physical Obstacles and Readiness
The 38-year-old’s candid evaluation of his physical condition following the defeat painted a concerning picture of his present situation. Djokovic acknowledged that he is “not definitely where I want to be to compete at the top tier,” a strikingly honest admission from a player used to dominating the sport. He disclosed that he has no recollection of a recent tournament preparation unencumbered by fitness problems, suggesting that managing physical setbacks has become an unwanted constant in his career. With his 39th birthday drawing near just two days before the French Open commences, Djokovic faces the uncomfortable reality that maintaining top-level play at his age requires navigating a complicated landscape of physical challenges.
Djokovic’s choice to avoid all remaining tournaments before Roland Garros underscores the seriousness of his situation. The six-time Roland Garros winner feels he needs maximum recovery time rather than extra competitive play, a strategic choice that reflects both his realism and his recognition of current limitations. Having reached the Australian Open final in January before falling to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic continues to harbour ambitions of claiming a unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. However, his showing in Rome has raised questions about whether the remaining time will prove sufficient to restore him to the standard required for a deep run in Paris, especially considering the rigorous demands of clay court competition.
Match Analysis: How the Upset Developed
The progression of the match revealed a stark contrast between Djokovic’s early superiority and his gradual slump. The Serb gained the upper hand immediately, claiming two service breaks to claim the first set in authoritative manner, dropping merely three points on his own serve. Yet the balance swung dramatically as Prizmic hit his stride, producing an array of powerful groundstrokes that caught Djokovic increasingly off balance. The Croatian’s willingness to attack from the baseline, combined with his impressive forehand, proved notably successful against an opponent moving sluggishly and seemingly ill at ease on clay. Djokovic’s reliance on drop shots—a tactical adjustment that might ordinarily have produced positive results—backfired as Prizmic demonstrated the movement and foresight to chase them down relentlessly.
| Set | Djokovic | Prizmic |
|---|---|---|
| First | 6 | 2 |
| Second | 2 | 6 |
| Third | 4 | 6 |
Prizmic’s equilibrium during the crucial moments was decisive in clinching success. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, the 20-year-old kept his nerve despite the significance of the situation, pressing ahead with his groundstrokes with confidence before clinching victory with an ace down the wide. His emotional control throughout—in marked contrast to Djokovic’s visible frustration—suggested a wisdom beyond his age, whilst his following move of penning “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens showed both respect and the weight of overcoming his childhood idol.
Preparing for Roland Garros
Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from additional matches prior to the French Open represents a practical recognition of his current physical limitations. With just sixteen days separating his Rome exit and the beginning of Roland Garros on 24 May, the seasoned competitor faces a compressed preparation window to tackle the shoulder problem that has affected his season. His clear declaration that he will not compete again before Paris underscores the seriousness of his worries, suggesting he views further competition as possibly detrimental rather than advantageous. At thirty-eight years old, with his 39th birthday occurring just two days prior to the tournament commences, Djokovic cannot afford the luxury of extended recovery periods that younger players might require.
The Serb’s frank admission that he cannot remember a recent Grand Slam build-up without physical complications reveals the harsh reality of performing at the sport’s elite level whilst navigating the inevitable decline that follows increasing age. His semi-finalist finish at Roland Garros the previous year and the January Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz show he remains capable of competing at an top-tier standard, yet the Rome shock result serves as a stark reminder of how quickly form can deteriorate when physical condition is affected. The question confronting Djokovic now is whether a fortnight of focused rehabilitation and limited training can restore sufficient confidence and fitness to launch a credible challenge for that sought-after twenty-fifth Grand Slam title.