Novak Djokovic was defeated by Dino Prizmic on his return to action in the Italian Open second round.
The defeat came after Djokovic returned to play his first match since the 12th of March 2026, when he picked up a shoulder injury, which resulted in him missing several tournaments.
Djokovic started strongly, showing the trait of why he is a six-time champion in Rome, only to struggle with illness in the second set.
However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia’s Prizmic, who played bravely to overpower the Serb 2-6 6-2 6-4.
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The 20-year-old, one of many players who counts Djokovic as his idol, wrote “Nole, it was a pleasure” on the camera lens after the match.
Recall that the World Number four said afterwards he will not play before the French Open begins on 24 May, where he will once again be chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
“I’m not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far,” the 38-year-old said.
“I don’t recall the last time I had a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.
“There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”
Djokovic happened to be a semi-finalist at Roland Garros last year, reached the final of the Australian Open in January, only to lose in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.
(BBC)
