Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis ended in a stunning upset as Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic claimed a remarkable win at the Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday. The world number four, competing for the first time since 12 March and his initial clay-court competition of the year after a shoulder injury, lost to the 20-year-old 2-6 6-2 6-4 in the second round. Despite a bright start, Djokovic looked sluggish and battled illness as the match progressed, failing to recapture the form that has established him as a six-time champion in the Italian capital. The defeat marks a major blow for the 38-year-old Serbian star ahead of the French Open, which begins on 24 May.
Prizmic’s Key Milestone
Dino Prizmic’s win represents a turning point in the player’s rising career, giving the 20-year-old with his another top-10 win in consecutive weeks following his impressive triumph over world number six Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open. The qualifier displayed outstanding mental discipline throughout, especially when serving for the match in the third set, where he stayed composed in spite of the magnitude of the occasion. His strong baseline shots and dominant service game were too strong for a visibly struggling Djokovic, with 13 winners in the second set alone demonstrating his aggressive intent and technical mastery on the clay courts.
What made Prizmic’s display all the more impressive was his readiness to participate in baseline rallies and his determination to chase down Djokovic’s drop shots—a tactical approach that countered the veteran’s efforts to cut short points. The youngster, who idolises Djokovic and has earlier fallen 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 consecutive top-10 victory after beating Ben Shelton in Madrid
- Hit 13 winning shots in the second set to take command of the match
- Remained composed whilst serving for the most significant victory of his career
- Paid homage to his idol Djokovic following the triumph
Djokovic’s Challenge on His Return
Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis turned out considerably tougher than expected, with the world number four failing to capitalise on an promising opening against the resolute Croatian challenger. After a lengthy absence dating back to 12 March, the Serbian champion had hoped to shake off the effects of his shoulder trouble on the Rome clay courts, where he stands as a six-time champion. Instead, he found himself increasingly laboured as the match progressed, moving sluggishly behind the baseline and resorting to drop shots in a determined bid to shorten rallies. What started as a dominant first-set display, where Djokovic dropped just three points on serve, quickly unravelled as Prizmic seized the initiative with four straight games in the second set.
The cost of his prolonged time away was apparent as the match progressed, with Djokovic looking to contend with sickness during the second set. Both players exited the court before the third set, though the pause seemed to offer Prizmic with more advantage than the defending champion. Despite showing flashes of renewed energy at the outset of the final set, Djokovic failed to take charge of the baseline exchanges. His anger grew noticeably—shown through an heated outburst at the final change of ends —as Prizmic’s unrelenting aggression and willingness to chase down drop shots proved too much for a player plainly not operating at full fitness or competitive sharpness.
Physical Demands and Readiness
The 38-year-old’s honest assessment of his fitness level following the defeat painted a sobering picture of his current state. Djokovic admitted that he is “not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level,” a notably honest admission from a player accustomed to dominating the sport. He revealed that he has no recollection of a recent competition build-up free from fitness problems, suggesting that managing injuries and ailments has become an unwelcome constant in his career. With his 39th birthday approaching just two days before the French Open starts, Djokovic faces the uncomfortable reality that sustaining top-level play at his age requires managing a complicated landscape of fitness obstacles.
Djokovic’s decision to skip all other events before Roland Garros underscores the gravity of his situation. The six-time French Open champion believes he requires maximum recovery time rather than extra competitive play, a tactical decision that reflects both his pragmatism and his recognition of present constraints. Having reached the Australian Open final in January before losing to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic still harbours ambitions of claiming a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. However, his performance in Rome has cast doubt on whether the time available will be adequate to return him to the standard required for a strong showing in Paris, especially considering the demanding nature of clay court competition.
Match Analysis: How the Upset Developed
The progression of the match revealed a clear divergence between Djokovic’s initial control and his gradual slump. The Serb took control immediately, breaking serve twice to claim the first set in dominant style, dropping merely three points on his own serve. Yet the momentum shifted dramatically as Prizmic struck his form, launching a series of powerful groundstrokes that caught Djokovic increasingly flat-footed. The Croatian’s eagerness to press forward from the baseline, combined with his exceptional forehand, proved especially potent against an opponent moving sluggishly and seemingly ill at ease on clay. Djokovic’s resort to drop shots—a technical modification that might ordinarily have yielded dividends—backfired as Prizmic demonstrated the mobility and anticipation to chase them down relentlessly.
| Set | Djokovic | Prizmic |
|---|---|---|
| First | 6 | 2 |
| Second | 2 | 6 |
| Third | 4 | 6 |
Prizmic’s poise during the crucial moments played a key role in securing victory. Going for the title at 5-4 in the third set, the 20-year-old stayed composed despite the significance of the situation, continuing to strike his groundstrokes with conviction before confirming the win with an ace down the wide. His emotional restraint throughout—in sharp contrast to Djokovic’s evident frustration—suggested a maturity beyond his years, whilst his following move of inscribing “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens reflected both respect and the importance of beating his childhood idol.
Looking Forward to Roland Garros
Djokovic’s choice to step back from additional matches before the French Open constitutes a pragmatic acknowledgement of his present physical constraints. With just 16 days between his Rome exit and the beginning of Roland Garros on 24 May, the seasoned competitor faces a tight preparation timeframe to address the shoulder injury that has affected his season. His clear declaration that he will not play further prior to Paris emphasises the severity of his concerns, indicating he regards additional match play as possibly detrimental rather than advantageous. At thirty-eight years old, with his thirty-ninth birthday occurring just two days prior to the tournament begins, Djokovic cannot afford the luxury of extended recovery periods that younger competitors might require.
The Serb’s candid admission that he cannot recall a recent Grand Slam preparation without physical complications reveals the stark reality of performing at the sport’s elite level whilst navigating the natural decline that follows increasing age. His runner-up finish at Roland Garros the previous year and January’s Australian Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz show he remains able of performing at an top-tier standard, yet the Rome upset serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly form can deteriorate when fitness is affected. The question confronting Djokovic now is whether a two weeks of concentrated rehabilitation and limited training can restore sufficient self-belief and fitness to mount a genuine challenge for that elusive twenty-fifth Grand Slam title.