The tennis world was left in disbelief on Friday as world No. 1 Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning opening-round exit at the Italian Open. In what was supposed to be a routine clay-court tune-up, the 24-time Grand Slam champion fell 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic.
This marks the first time in 19 appearances that Djokovic has lost his opening match in Rome, a tournament he has famously won six times.
The Rise of the Underdog
Dino Prizmic, who grew up idolizing Djokovic, played the match of his life after a shaky first set. Sensing a physical decline in the Serbian legend, the young Croatian took full advantage, breaking Djokovic’s serve repeatedly in the final two sets. Prizmic’s victory follows his recent upset of Ben Shelton in Madrid, signaling his arrival as a major threat on the ATP tour. “Big respect for Novak, he’s my idol,” Prizmic said post-match, still soaking in the magnitude of his career-best win.
Physical Struggles and “The New Reality”
The primary concern following the match wasn’t just the scoreline, but Djokovic’s visible physical distress. Returning from a layoff that saw him withdraw from Monte Carlo and Madrid, the Serbian appeared hampered by a lingering shoulder issue, evidenced by heavy strapping. In a candid post-match press conference, Djokovic admitted that constant physical issues have become his “new reality,” noting that he rarely enters a tournament feeling 100% fit in recent years.
Road to Roland Garros in Jeopardy
With this loss, Djokovic heads to the French Open (Roland Garros) without a single match win on clay this season—a worrying repeat of his 2025 struggles. The Serbian has expressed doubt about playing the Geneva Open next week, opting instead to focus on recovery and conservation. As the tennis elite head to Paris, questions remain whether the defending champion can overcome his physical hurdles to challenge for a 25th major title.