Back in 2024, Novak Djokovic had said that facing Dino Prizmic in the opening round of the Australian Open felt like playing against himself in the mirror. At the time, Djokovic emerged victorious in four sets. But two years later, Prizmic turned the tables, knocking the Serbian out of the Italian Open 2026.
On Friday, Djokovic suffered a shocking early exit in Rome after losing to the Croatian qualifier in the second round. The 24-time Grand Slam champion went down 6-2, 2-6, 4-6 in his opening match of the tournament, marking one of the most disappointing defeats of his 2026 season.
Djokovic entered the Italian Open as the third seed and received a first-round bye, meaning his clash against the 20-year-old Prizmic was technically his opening match of the tournament.
The defeat was particularly surprising given Djokovic’s remarkable record in Rome, where he has won six titles and rarely struggled in the early rounds. In fact, it was the first time Djokovic had lost his opening match at the Italian Open.
PRIZMIC BOUNCES BACK
The Serbian started the contest strongly and looked completely in control during the opening set. Djokovic combined his trademark baseline consistency with delicate drop shots and sharp returns to claim the first set 6-2. Prizmic committed 13 unforced errors in the opener and initially appeared overwhelmed by the occasion.
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However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Prizmic began striking the ball with far greater confidence, repeatedly testing Djokovic’s movement with heavy groundstrokes.
At the same time, Djokovic’s level dropped significantly. The Serb looked physically uncomfortable and even vomited on court during the match. Djokovic appeared unwell and struggled badly with his movement after the first set.
Prizmic capitalised fully on Djokovic’s struggles, winning four consecutive games early in the second set before eventually drawing level in the contest. The Croatian, who had already impressed in Madrid by defeating World No.6 Ben Shelton, continued to play fearless tennis in the decider.
Djokovic attempted to mount a comeback in the third set, but his usually reliable ground game looked unusually tentative. Prizmic stayed composed during the crucial moments and eventually sealed the biggest victory of his young career. The Croatian arrived in Rome with a career-high ranking of No. 79 and has now recorded two wins over Top-10 players in recent weeks.
CONCERNS BEFORE FRENCH OPEN
The defeat has once again raised concerns over Djokovic’s physical condition ahead of the French Open. The Serbian had not played since Indian Wells in March after battling a shoulder injury that forced him to miss tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.
At 38 years old, Djokovic is still chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, but his lack of match fitness and recurring physical issues have made his preparations increasingly difficult. With younger stars like Jannik Sinner dominating the ATP Tour, Djokovic now faces mounting pressure to rediscover his best form before Roland Garros begins later this month.
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