Novak Djokovic’s comeback in professional tennis resulted in a stunning upset as Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic claimed a stunning victory 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 after a shoulder injury, fell to the 20-year-old by a scoreline of 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, unable to recapture the form that has established him as a six-time title holder in the Italian capital. The defeat represents a major blow for the 38-year-old Serbian star in advance of the French Open, which begins on 24 May.
Prizmic’s Pivotal Achievement
Dino Prizmic’s triumph represents a pivotal juncture in the Croatian’s burgeoning career, providing the 20-year-old with his second top-10 victory in the past fortnight after his impressive triumph over sixth-ranked Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open. The unseeded competitor displayed outstanding mental discipline across the match, especially when serving for the match in the third set, where he kept his nerve despite the scale of the moment. His strong baseline shots and forceful delivery overwhelmed a visibly struggling Djokovic, with 13 aces in the second set highlighting his aggressive intent 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 determination to chase down Djokovic’s drop shots—a tactical approach that countered the veteran’s efforts to cut short points. The youngster, who admires 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 to take command of the match
- Remained composed whilst playing out the biggest win of his career
- Paid homage to his idol Djokovic following the triumph
Djokovic’s Challenge on Return
Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis turned out considerably tougher than expected, with the world number four unable to build on an encouraging start against the determined Croatian qualifier. After a extended break dating back to 12 March, the Serbian star had aimed to work through the rust of his shoulder injury on the Rome clay courts, where he remains a six-time champion. Instead, he found himself increasingly laboured as the match progressed, shuffling slowly around the baseline and turning to drop shots in a desperate attempt to shorten rallies. What started as a commanding first-set performance, where Djokovic gave up only three points on serve, quickly unravelled as Prizmic seized the initiative with four consecutive games in the second-set stretch.
The impact of his extended absence was apparent as the match continued, with Djokovic appearing to struggle with sickness during the second frame. Both players departed the court before the final set, though the respite seemed to provide Prizmic with more benefit than the defending champion. Despite exhibiting signs of renewed energy at the outset of the deciding set, Djokovic could not reassert dominance of the baseline play. His anger grew visibly—shown through an heated outburst at the final change of ends —as Prizmic’s relentless aggression and readiness to track down delicate shots proved too much for a player evidently not performing at full fitness or match sharpness.
Physical Obstacles and Preparation
The 38-year-old’s candid assessment of his physical condition following the defeat presented a stark picture of his current state. Djokovic acknowledged that he is “not quite where I want to be to compete at the top tier,” a strikingly honest admission from a player accustomed to leading the sport. He disclosed that he has no recollection of a recent tournament preparation free from physical or health issues, suggesting that managing physical setbacks has become an unwelcome constant in his career. With his 39th birthday approaching just two days before the French Open commences, Djokovic faces the difficult reality that maintaining 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 highlights the seriousness of his situation. The six-time Roland Garros winner believes he requires maximum recovery time rather than additional match practice, a tactical decision that demonstrates both his realism and his recognition of present constraints. After reaching the Australian Open final in January before losing to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic continues to harbour ambitions of securing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. However, his showing in Rome has raised questions about whether the remaining time will prove sufficient to return him to the form necessary for a strong showing in Paris, particularly given the rigorous demands of clay court competition.
Match Analysis: How the Upset Unfolded
The trajectory of the match revealed a clear divergence between Djokovic’s early superiority and his later deterioration. The Serb gained the upper hand immediately, securing two breaks of serve to secure the first set in commanding fashion, dropping merely three points on his own serve. Yet the balance swung dramatically as Prizmic hit his stride, unleashing a barrage of powerful groundstrokes that caught Djokovic increasingly struggling. The Croatian’s readiness to strike from the baseline, combined with his outstanding forehand shot, proved particularly effective against an opponent moving sluggishly and seemingly struggling with the surface. Djokovic’s turn to drop shots—a technical modification 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 composure during the crucial moments proved instrumental in securing victory. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, the 20-year-old remained unflustered despite the magnitude of the occasion, continuing to strike his groundstrokes with authority before clinching victory with an ace down the wide. His emotional restraint throughout—in stark contrast to Djokovic’s obvious irritation—suggested a wisdom beyond his age, whilst his next action of inscribing “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens demonstrated both respect and the importance of beating his childhood idol.
Anticipating 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 start of Roland Garros on 24 May, the veteran champion faces a tight preparation timeframe to tackle the shoulder injury that has affected his season. His explicit statement that he will not compete again prior to Paris emphasises the seriousness of his worries, indicating he views additional match play as potentially counterproductive rather than beneficial. At thirty-eight years old, with his 39th birthday occurring just two days before the tournament commences, Djokovic cannot afford the privilege of prolonged rest that younger players might need.
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 managing the natural decline that follows advancing age. His semi-finalist finish at Roland Garros last year and January’s Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz show he remains able of performing at an elite standard, yet the Rome shock result serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly form can deteriorate when physical condition is affected. The question confronting Djokovic now is whether a fortnight of concentrated rehabilitation and limited training can rebuild sufficient self-belief and fitness to mount a credible challenge for that sought-after twenty-fifth Grand Slam title.