Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in three sets at the Italian Open.
Playing his first match since Indian Wells in March, Djokovic lost 6-2, 2-6, 4-6 to Prizmic in the second round of the Italian Open.
After the match, Djokovic waved goodbye to the fans in Rome, potentially for the final time.
Will Novak Djokovic ever return to the Italian Open?
Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in his opening match…
We asked our fans on social media whether they believed that was Djokovic’s last match at the Italian Open.
Tennis fans are split over Novak Djokovic’s Italian Open future after early exit
Several fans on Facebook believe Djokovic has played his final match in Rome.
“He’s a legend, but his time seems to be over,” one fan said.
“Done and dusted.”
“He must be devastated, but it really was only a matter of time before this happened,” said another.
“One really hopes he won’t try to force the issue and hang on, losing time and again. It is sad to see a champion who leaves it too long to retire and eventually just fades away while still trying to keep going.”
“It’s all over. It’s time to hang up the racket. A beating by an unranked player in the first round is not a good look,” another fan said.
“He should stop now. People will still remember him for the good,” said one tennis fan.
Others are hopeful that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will return to the Italian Open.
“Everywhere will give him wildcards for the rest of his life, so probably not the last time,” one fan said.
“Of course not, he is just warming up!” added another.
Djokovic is a six-time Italian Open champion, but has struggled at the event since winning his last title in 2022.
Novak Djokovic’s Masters 1000 record
| Event | Titles | Win/Loss record | Win % |
| Indian Wells | 5 | 53-12 | 82% |
| Miami Open | 6 | 49-8 | 86% |
| Monte Carlo Masters | 2 | 39-16 | 71% |
| Madrid Open | 3 | 30-10 | 75% |
| Italian Open | 6 | 68-13 | 84% |
| Canadian Open | 4 | 37-7 | 84% |
| Cincinnati Open | 3 | 45-12 | 79% |
| Shanghai Masters | 4 | 49-10 | 83% |
| Paris Masters | 7 | 50-9 | 85% |
Djokovic reached the quarter-finals in 2023, but lost in the third round the year after, before losing his opening match this year.
Novak Djokovic’s Italian Open record after winning in 2022 (4-3)
- 2023 Italian Open 2R [WIN] vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry, 7-5, 6-2
- 2023 Italian Open 3R [WIN] vs Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
- 2023 Italian Open 4R [WIN] vs Cameron Norrie, 6-3, 6-4
- 2023 Italian Open QF [LOSS] vs Holger Rune, 2-6, 6-4, 2-6
- 2024 Italian Open 2R [WIN] vs Corentin Moutet, 6-3, 6-1
- 2024 Italian Open 3R [LOSS] vs Alejandro Tabilo, 2-6, 3-6
- 2026 Italian Open 2R [LOSS] vs Dino Prizmic, 6-2, 2-6, 4-6
Playing such a reduced schedule, whenever Djokovic arrives at a tournament, he does so wanting match practice.
So it’s far from ideal when he loses on debut, as he explained during his post-match press conference in Rome.
“Yeah, came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately, only a match,” he said.
If Djokovic is to play on clay next year, his main priority will be Roland Garros.
In a bid to adapt to the surface before the French Open, he might be better off playing a smaller warm-up event, like the ATP 250 Geneva Open, rather than a clay-court Masters 1000 tournament.
Djokovic won the Geneva Open last year, playing four matches, before reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals.
He won’t repeat the feat this year, as Djokovic decided against a trip to Switzerland, but he may consider a schedule change heading into 2027.
If he does, we may well have seen the last of Djokovic in Rome.
How many fans predicted Novak Djokovic to win the Italian Open?
Before the Italian Open began, we asked our fans on TalkingPoints to predict the winner.
Who will win the 2026 Italian Open?
A stacked field in Rome!
Some 10% backed Djokovic to lift the title.
2026 Italian Open men’s singles champion (TalkingPoints vote share)
| Player | Vote share | Performance |
| Jannik Sinner | 70% | 2R vs Sebastian Ofner |
| Novak Djokovic | 10% | Lost in 2R vs Dino Prizmic |
| Alexander Zverev | 6% | 3R vs Alexander Blockx |
| Lorenzo Musetti | 5% | 3R vs Francisco Cerundolo |
| Rafael Jodar | 4% | 3R vs Matteo Arnaldi |
| Arthur Fils | 2% | 2R vs Andrea Pellegrino |
| Other | 2% | – |
With Djokovic out of the picture, can anyone stop Jannik Sinner from winning in Rome?
Only time will tell.
The 2026 Italian Open men’s singles final will take place on Sunday, May 17.
