Overview
- Djokovic, who returned Friday at the Rome Masters, lost his first match 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to No. 79 Dino Prizmic.
- He rolled through the first set then struggled as his serve misfired and he doubled over between points, at times looking nauseous.
- The defeat is his first opening-match loss in 19 Rome appearances and his first tournament opener lost since Madrid 2025.
- After two months treating a right shoulder issue, the 38-year-old said he is short of his best and declined to discuss his condition, and he does not plan another event before Paris.
- Prizmic earns his second win over a top-10 player and advances to face either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva.