Djokovic Faces Shock Exit at Italian Open
In a surprising turn of events, tennis star Novak Djokovic faced an unexpected defeat at the Italian Open held in Rome. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic in the second round, with scores of 6-2, 2-6, 4-6.
This match marked a significant shift from their last encounter at the 2024 Australian Open, where Djokovic had claimed victory against Prizmic. Entering the Italian Open as the third seed, Djokovic had received a first-round bye, meaning his match against the 20-year-old Prizmic was effectively his tournament debut.
Djokovic’s loss in Rome is particularly notable as he has a strong history at the Italian Open, having won the title six times before. This defeat marks the first occasion where he has lost his opening match at this tournament, making it a significant disappointment in his 2026 season.
The match started in Djokovic’s favor, as he swiftly took the first set 6-2. Prizmic seemed to struggle initially, committing 13 unforced errors and appearing overwhelmed on the court. However, the tide turned in the second set. Prizmic began to play with renewed confidence, pushing Djokovic’s movement to its limits with powerful groundstrokes.
During the match, Djokovic appeared to struggle physically, even experiencing discomfort that led him to vomit on the court. This indicated that he was not at his best, and Prizmic capitalized on Djokovic’s faltering performance. The Croatian regained momentum, winning four straight games early in the second set, eventually leveling the match.
In the third set, Djokovic attempted to mount a comeback. However, his usually solid ground game faltered, and Prizmic maintained his composure during critical moments to clinch the match, marking a significant milestone in his career. With this victory, Prizmic, who came to Rome ranked No. 79, has now celebrated two wins over Top-10 players in recent weeks.
As Djokovic looks ahead to the upcoming French Open, this defeat raises concerns about his physical condition. He had not competed since March due to a shoulder injury that kept him away from tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. Now, at 38 years old, Djokovic is under pressure to regain his form and prepare for a possible record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
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