Novak Djokovic suffers shock defeat at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning second-round defeat at the Italian Open, falling to 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, marking an unprecedented setback for the Serbian star in Rome, reports BritPanorama.
This loss represents the first time in 19 appearances that the six-time champion has been eliminated in his opening match at the tournament. Djokovic, currently ranked fourth in the world, was competing for the first time since his fourth-round exit at Indian Wells in March, having withdrawn from events in Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid while recovering from a shoulder injury.
The opening set proved comfortable for Djokovic, who wrapped it up in approximately 40 minutes after breaking Prizmic’s serve twice while dominating the longer exchanges. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the second set began, with Prizmic breaking to love immediately before racing into a commanding 3-0 advantage.
As the match progressed, Djokovic appeared increasingly troubled physically, visibly grimacing and taking pills for what seemed to be stomach discomfort. Prizmic, currently ranked 79th in the world, carried his confidence into the decider, securing a critical break at 2-2 and eventually closing out the victory with an ace after two hours and 15 minutes.
Prior to the match, Djokovic had acknowledged his concerns about his physical condition, stating: “I am not the happiest with the level of tennis or the movement or the physical state, but it is getting there.” The 38-year-old explained that he had hoped to return to competition earlier but needed to manage his recovery carefully.
Following the defeat, Djokovic was candid about his limitations, admitting he was “late half a step” and not where he needed to be to compete at the highest level. When asked whether he would be fit for Roland Garros, the 24-time Grand Slam champion offered an uncertain response: “I don’t know, I hope so.”
Prizmic spoke with evident emotion about defeating his childhood hero, telling interviewers: “For me, it is hard to [know what to] say. I have big respect for Novak. He is my idol, so it was a great match for me today.” He added that Djokovic had offered encouragement after the match, praising his forehand and predicting he could achieve great things if he remains injury-free.
The defeat leaves Djokovic with just one clay-court match under his belt ahead of the French Open, which commences on 24 May. As fans and analysts alike ponder the implications of this surprising result, it underscores the unpredictable nature of sport and how swiftly fortunes can change, reminding all that even legends face their trials on the road to glory.
