Overview
- Novak Djokovic, playing his first clay match of 2026, fell 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic on Friday in Rome.
- It was his first opening-match defeat at the Italian Open in 19 appearances at the six-time champion’s favored event.
- He returned from a right shoulder injury and appeared unwell during the match, then declined to detail any specific physical issues afterward.
- He confirmed he will skip any further tune-ups and go straight to the French Open starting May 24, saying he hopes to be ready.
- Prizmic, 20 and ranked No. 79, recently beat world No. 6 Ben Shelton in Madrid and now faces Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva after calling Djokovic his idol.