Novak Djokovic will head to Roland Garros without a single clay-court win to his name this year, having lost yesterday.
In what was his first match in over two months, the Serbian had selected the Italian Open as his return event.
However, it was always going to be a tough return to action against young star Dino Prizmic, who was coming off the back of recent wins against Ben Shelton and Matteo Berrettini.
Despite snatching the opening set, it was the 20-year-old who came out on top, leaving Novak Djokovic scratching his head ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season.
Novak Djokovic rates his level after shock Italian Open exit
Whilst many were tipping Djokovic to take advantage of Carlos Alcaraz’s injury at Roland Garros, this latest result has thrown that suggestion out of the window.
Now, many are fearing for his chances there, at a tournament that he has won three times.
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Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in his opening match…
One reporter seemed particularly scathing in the 38-year-old’s post-match press conference, asking him if he was surprised by ‘the way he played’.
“I mean, it was okay,” he replied, continuing: “I didn’t play so bad. I don’t think I played so bad, to be honest.
“Okay, the second set was something to forget obviously the way I felt on the court. But the first and third was good. It was okay. It was a good battle in the end.
“Obviously I see what I’m missing. Late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far.
“Eventually you have to play. You have to start somewhere. I wanted to start earlier, but I couldn’t. So yeah, that’s what it is. The situation is as it is. You just adapt to it and make the most out of it.
“I train hard. I train as much as the body allows me to. Then how it turns out on the court, that’s really unpredictable.”
This comes just a day after Djokovic said if he thought Jannik Sinner could win a sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title here in Rome.
What Novak Djokovic said about Dino Prizmic after their first-ever match in 2024
This was not the first time that Djokovic had been tested by Prizmic.
In fact, after their 2024 clash at the Australian Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion had nothing but praise for the youngster.
He claimed: “I love the way he uses every inch of the court. He is comfortable coming in, he defends incredibly well.
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“Just an amazing performance for someone who is 18 years old and never had an experience of playing on a big stage.
“Big kudos to him and his team, and I certainly want to be in his corner, so hopefully he will invite me because he is going to do some big things in his career.”
Djokovic added: “If he continues this way, he’s going to have a very bright career ahead of him, no doubt.”
