Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in the second round of the Italian Open.
The Serb led 6-2, but began to struggle physically against a man 18 years his junior.
Prizmic secured the win, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, handing Djokovic his third consecutive defeat at the Italian Open.
Will Novak Djokovic ever return to the Italian Open?
Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in his opening match…
After the match, Djokovic was asked if he plans to play another tournament before the French Open begins.
Novak Djokovic confirms he won’t play another event before Roland Garros
Djokovic was first asked whether he feels confident he will be fit for Roland Garros.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“I hope so!
“Let’s see what happens.”
He then shared whether he will go straight to Roland Garros or play a warm-up tournament first.
“No. This year, no,” said Djokovic.
“I’ll just go to Paris straight.
“It’s the decision. It’s the decision.”
In 2025, Djokovic lost his opening matches at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open.
Rather than travelling to Roland Garros with a 0-2 record on clay for the year, Djokovic chose to play the Geneva Open in Switzerland, where he won the 100th title of his professional career.
Carrying that momentum forward, Djokovic reached the semi-finals in Paris.
Novak Djokovic’s 2025 clay-court record (9-3)
- Monte Carlo Masters 2R [LOSS] vs Alejandro Tabilo
- Madrid Open 2R [LOSS] vs Matteo Arnaldi
- Geneva Open 2R [WIN] vs Marton Fucsovics
- Geneva Open QF [WIN] vs Matteo Arnaldi
- Geneva Open SF [WIN] vs Cameron Norrie
- Geneva Open F [WIN] vs Hubert Hurkacz
- French Open 1R [WIN] vs Mackenzie McDonald
- French Open 2R [WIN] vs Corentin Moutet
- French Open 3R [WIN] vs Filip Misolic
- French Open 4R [WIN] vs Cameron Norrie
- French Open QF [WIN] vs Alexander Zverev
- French Open SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner
Deciding not to attend the Geneva Open this year, you wonder if Djokovic is at risk of an earlier exit at Roland Garros.
His team may, however, simply be prioritising his fitness, which has been a real issue this year.
Novak Djokovic admits preparation wasn’t ‘ideal’ for the Italian Open
“It’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t recall the last time I had in the last couple of years, a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.
“There’s always something.
“Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.
“Yeah, it is frustrating.
“At the same time, it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions.
“It is what it is.”
After a strong start, Djokovic began to struggle in the second set, as Prizmic mounted a comeback.
Asked to pinpoint the issue, Djokovic refused, out of respect for his opponent.
“I hope you understand I will not talk about that,” he said.
“I want to congratulate Dino [Prizmic].
“Deservedly the winner today.
Novak Djokovic vs Dino Prizmic – Match stats
| Stats | Novak Djokovic | Dino Prizmic |
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double faults | 1 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 59% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 70% | 70% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 58% | 63% |
| Break points | 2/4 | 3/6 |
“Yeah, came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately, only a match. It’s all right.
“I’m pleased at least that I fought till the end.
“I want to thank the crowd. It was incredible once again. I mean, the support and love that I’ve been getting, it’s something I don’t take for granted.”
Djokovic will now turn his attention to the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 24.
Prizmic, on the other hand, will rest up ahead of his third-round match against either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva.
