Most expected Novak Djokovic to be back in time for the clay season after his last tournament at Indian Wells. But a lingering health issue kept him out longer than anticipated, forcing him to skip both the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters.
That made his first appearance of the clay swing at the Italian Open in Rome a highly anticipated moment. Fans hoped for a deep run, but the tournament took an abrupt turn when the Serbian star fell in the first round to 20-year-old qualifier Dino Prižmić. What followed—a candid post-match reflection—has since drawn widespread attention.
Djokovic’s stay in Rome was short and puzzling. During the second set, cameras caught him clutching his stomach and appearing to gag or feel nauseous, though he did not call for medical assistance.
He lost 2-6, 6-2, 4-6. When asked afterward about his physical condition, Djokovic avoided a direct answer. “I appreciate your understanding, but I’d rather not talk about that. Congratulations to Dino—he deserved the win today,” he said. He then acknowledged that dealing with physical setbacks has become a normal part of his career at this stage, and that he has learned to accept it.
“Over the past two years, I’ve rarely gone into a tournament completely healthy. In the end, the decision to play is mine, and I just have to manage as best I can,” Djokovic said.
Pushed further, he admitted: “Honestly, my preparation has been far from ideal. There are always small issues. It’s become a new reality that I have to accept, and that can be frustrating. But even with this body, I still choose to step on court and take things as they come.”
The loss in Rome marks an unwanted record: it is the first time in 19 appearances at the Italian Open that Djokovic has been eliminated in the opening round. The six-time champion in Rome looked strong early but then collapsed, raising concerns with the French Open just two weeks away.
His plans are now set: he will skip the Geneva Open and head straight to Paris. “I won’t play Geneva this year—I’ll go directly to Roland Garros. That’s my decision,” he confirmed.
Last year, Djokovic played Geneva as a warm-up and won the title in a tight three-setter against Hubert Hurkacz. This Australian Open, he showed similar resilience by reaching the final despite not playing since November 2025. Now, after a rocky Rome exit and apparent stomach issues, he will need that same fighting spirit for the French Open.
It would be unfair to attribute Prižmić’s victory solely to Djokovic’s health. The 20-year-old Croatian qualifier played with composure and aggression well beyond his years and ranking, delivering the biggest win of his career.
Prižmić has already notched nine ATP tour-level wins this season, including victories over former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini and current world No. 6 Ben Shelton in Madrid. He and Djokovic are familiar with each other—they met at the 2024 Australian Open, where the then-18-year-old took the first set before falling in four. Now, two years later, Prižmić got the win.
Ranked 79th, Prižmić raised his level in the second set, playing more aggressively and with growing confidence. After breaking in the third set at 2-2, he never looked back, closing out the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 17 minutes. He became the first Croatian man to reach the third round in Rome since Borna Ćorić in 2023.
Djokovic gave Prižmić high praise. “He has great fighting spirit and a strong mentality—an excellent young player. I’ve followed him for years, and today he played top-level tennis. I told him at the net that his forehand has improved significantly. The work he and his team are doing is clearly paying off. He should keep going.”
Even in one of the more disappointing losses of his career, the tennis legend displayed notable grace and sportsmanship.