In a stunning upset at the Italian Open, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, suffered a defeat at the hands of Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, who is nearly two decades his junior. The match marked Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis after a two-month hiatus due to right shoulder problems. The 38-year-old Serbian lost the match with a final score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, concluding with Prizmic sealing the victory with an ace on match point.
Djokovic had not competed since his defeat to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the Indian Wells tournament back in March. Following the loss, he chose to remain tight-lipped about his ongoing physical challenges but did express his respect for his opponent. “I want to congratulate Dino, deservedly the winner today,” Djokovic stated in a press conference. “I came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately, only a match. It’s all right. I’m pleased at least that I fought until the end.”
Despite showing flashes of his typical brilliance in the first set, Djokovic’s performance seemed hindered as the match progressed, and he struggled physically, particularly in the second set. His discomfort was evident as he frequently glanced towards his support team from the sidelines. “Obviously, I see what I’m missing. Late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far,” he assessed.
With this unexpected exit from the Italian Open, Djokovic heads into the upcoming French Open, scheduled to begin on May 24, having played only a single match on clay this season. Earlier this year, Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open, where he ultimately fell to Carlos Alcaraz.
When asked about his readiness for Roland Garros, Djokovic expressed uncertainty, stating, “I don’t know. I hope so.” He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of recovery and competition: “The situation is as it is. You make the most out of it. I train hard, as much as the body allows me. Then how it turns out on the court, that’s really unpredictable.”
Prizmic, currently ranked 79th, displayed remarkable skill in his victory and expressed admiration for Djokovic, referring to him as his idol. Just prior to facing Djokovic, Prizmic had achieved a notable win against sixth-ranked Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open.
In other matches at the Italian Open, second seed Alexander Zverev made a successful comeback from his recent defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final, defeating compatriot Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3. Meanwhile, Alex De Minaur faced an early exit after being bested by Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
As the tennis world looks ahead to the French Open, Djokovic’s matchup against a promising young player like Prizmic serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of the sport, highlighting both the challenges faced by seasoned athletes and the rising talent among the new generation.
