Novak Djokovic’s comeback in professional tennis ended in a stunning upset as Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic claimed a remarkable win at the Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday. The top-four ranked player, playing his first match 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 a bright start, Djokovic appeared laboured and struggled with illness as the match continued, failing to recapture the form that has established him as a six-time champion in the Italian capital. The defeat represents a major blow for the 38-year-old Serbian star ahead of the French Open, which commences on 24 May.
Prizmic’s Defining Turning Point
Dino Prizmic’s triumph constitutes a pivotal juncture in the player’s rising career, giving the 20-year-old with his second top-10 scalp in consecutive weeks after his notable victory over sixth-ranked Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open. The qualifier showed outstanding mental discipline across the match, particularly when attempting to close out in the third set, where he kept his nerve in spite of the importance of the situation. His commanding ground game and commanding serve overwhelmed a visibly struggling Djokovic, with 13 winners across the second set highlighting his offensive mindset and technical mastery on the clay courts.
What made Prizmic’s display all the more impressive was his willingness to engage in baseline rallies and his determination to chase down Djokovic’s drop shots—a tactical approach that countered the veteran’s attempts to shorten points. The youngster, who admires Djokovic and has previously lost to him at the Australian Open in 2024, showed no signs of being intimidated by his opponent’s legendary status. After clinching victory with an ace down the wide, Prizmic wrote “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens, a respectful gesture 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 winning shots in the second-set period to take command of the match
- Remained calm whilst serving for the most significant victory of his career
- Paid homage to his idol Djokovic after the triumph
Djokovic’s Difficulty on Return
Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis proved far more challenging than anticipated, with the world number four failing to capitalise on an encouraging start against the resolute Croatian challenger. After a lengthy absence dating back to 12 March, the Serbian champion had hoped to shake off the rust of his shoulder injury on the Rome clay courts, where he stands as a six-time champion. Instead, he became progressively tired as the match progressed, shuffling slowly around the baseline and turning to drop shots in a desperate attempt to shorten rallies. What began as a dominant first-set display, where Djokovic dropped just three points on serve, rapidly fell apart as Prizmic took control with four straight games in the second set.
The cost of his extended absence became evident as the match continued, with Djokovic seeming to battle with sickness during the second frame. Both players departed the court before the deciding set, though the respite seemed to provide Prizmic with greater benefit than the defending title holder. Despite showing flashes of renewed energy at the outset of the deciding set, Djokovic failed to regain control of the baseline exchanges. His anger grew clearly—reflected in an angry outburst at the final change of ends —as Prizmic’s sustained attacking play and readiness to track down delicate shots proved beyond the capabilities of a player plainly not operating at peak condition or match sharpness.
Physical Challenges and Preparation
The 38-year-old’s frank assessment of his fitness level following the defeat painted a sobering picture of his present situation. Djokovic recognised that he is “not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level,” a strikingly honest admission from a player accustomed to dominating the sport. He revealed that he cannot recall a recent competition build-up free from fitness problems, suggesting that dealing with physical setbacks has become an unwelcome constant in his career. With his 39th birthday approaching just two days prior to the French Open starts, Djokovic faces the difficult reality that maintaining elite-level performance at his age requires navigating a complex minefield of physical challenges.
Djokovic’s decision to skip all remaining tournaments before Roland Garros highlights the gravity of his situation. The six-time French Open champion feels he needs maximum recovery time rather than additional match practice, a tactical decision that demonstrates both his pragmatism and his recognition of current limitations. Having reached the Australian Open final in January before falling to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic still harbours ambitions of securing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. However, his showing in Rome has cast doubt on whether the remaining time will be adequate to return him to the standard required for a strong showing in Paris, especially considering the demanding nature of clay-court tennis.
Match Analysis: How the Upset Unfolded
The progression of the match revealed a marked difference between Djokovic’s opening dominance and his subsequent decline. The Serb seized the initiative immediately, claiming two service breaks to take the opening set in commanding fashion, dropping merely three points on his own serve. Yet the momentum shifted dramatically as Prizmic struck his form, producing an array of powerful groundstrokes that caught Djokovic increasingly flat-footed. The Croatian’s readiness to strike from the baseline, combined with his exceptional forehand, proved particularly effective against an opponent moving sluggishly and seemingly ill at ease on clay. Djokovic’s resort to drop shots—a tactical adjustment that might ordinarily have yielded dividends—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 critical junctures was decisive in achieving triumph. Going for the title at 5-4 in the third set, the 20-year-old remained unflustered despite the weight of the moment, maintaining his ability to hit his groundstrokes with conviction before sealing success with an ace down the wide. His emotional restraint throughout—in stark contrast to Djokovic’s evident frustration—demonstrated a maturity beyond his years, whilst his following move of inscribing “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens demonstrated both respect and the weight of overcoming his childhood idol.
Anticipating Roland Garros
Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from additional matches before the French Open constitutes a practical recognition of his present physical constraints. With just sixteen days between his Rome exit and the beginning of Roland Garros on 24 May, the seasoned competitor faces a compressed preparation window to address the shoulder problem that has affected his season. His explicit statement that he will not compete again prior to Paris emphasises the severity of his concerns, indicating he regards additional match play as possibly detrimental rather than beneficial. At thirty-eight years old, with his 39th birthday falling merely two days prior to the tournament begins, Djokovic cannot sustain the privilege of prolonged rest 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 stark reality of performing at the sport’s highest level whilst navigating the inevitable decline that follows increasing age. His semi-finalist finish at Roland Garros last year and the January Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz show he remains capable of performing at an top-tier standard, yet the Rome shock result serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly form can decline when physical condition is compromised. The issue facing Djokovic now is whether a fortnight of concentrated rehabilitation and restricted training can restore sufficient self-belief and fitness to mount a credible challenge for that elusive twenty-fifth Grand Slam title.