Novak Djokovic endured one of the most surprising defeats of his 2026 season after the Serbian tennis star was eliminated in his opening match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome by Croatia’s rising talent Dino Prizmic.
The six-time Rome champion lost 6-2, 2-6, 4-6 in a dramatic second-round clash on Saturday, marking the first time in his career that he has failed to win his opening match at the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the Italian capital.
For Prizmic, the victory represented the biggest result of his young career and another sign that the 20-year-old is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour.
Speaking after the match, Prizmic admitted the occasion carried special emotional significance because Djokovic had long been one of his idols.
“For me, it’s hard to say anything. I have a lot of respect for Novak. He’s my idol, so it was a great match for me today,” Prizmic said after the victory.
“I played great and I want to stay focused and ready for the next match.”
The result stunned spectators at Foro Italico, particularly after Djokovic appeared firmly in control during the opening set. The Serbian veteran dominated early exchanges with his trademark baseline precision and tactical discipline, taking the first set comfortably 6-2.
However, the momentum of the contest shifted dramatically in the second set as Djokovic began to show visible signs of physical discomfort.
The 38-year-old struggled with movement between points, repeatedly bending over and placing his hands on his knees during changeovers. His energy levels appeared to dip significantly as the match progressed, raising concerns about his physical condition after an extended absence from competition.
Djokovic had not played competitively since March, when he suffered a fourth-round defeat to British player Jack Draper at Indian Wells. Rome marked his first tournament appearance in nearly two months, and the lack of match fitness appeared increasingly evident against the energetic Croatian.
Prizmic, sensing vulnerability, raised the intensity of his game in the second set. The young Croatian began attacking more aggressively from the baseline while maintaining remarkable consistency during long rallies.
His improved depth and pace forced Djokovic into uncomfortable defensive positions, preventing the Serbian from dictating points as effectively as he had in the opening set.
“In the first set he played amazingly and at the end of the set I tried to find my game and I did, so it was really, really good,” Prizmic explained.
The Croatian’s composure under pressure proved especially impressive considering the stature of his opponent. Facing one of the greatest players in tennis history on one of the sport’s biggest clay-court stages could easily have overwhelmed a young player, but Prizmic remained calm throughout crucial moments.
The match also carried echoes of their previous encounter at the 2024 Australian Open. Back then, Prizmic had already shown glimpses of his immense potential by taking a set from Djokovic during a competitive four-set loss.
At just 18 years old during that meeting, Prizmic demonstrated remarkable resilience and baseline consistency that troubled the Serbian star more than many expected.
Two years later in Rome, the Croatian showed how much his game has evolved.
His movement on clay was exceptional, his shot selection mature, and his confidence noticeably higher. As Djokovic’s physical struggles intensified, Prizmic continued to dictate long rallies and maintain relentless pressure from both wings.
The deciding third set showcased the competitive spirit that has defined Djokovic’s legendary career. Despite his physical limitations, the Serbian fought hard to remain in contention and attempted to use his experience to disrupt Prizmic’s rhythm.
Several lengthy exchanges highlighted Djokovic’s resilience and tactical intelligence, but ultimately the Serbian lacked the explosiveness and stamina required to complete a comeback.
Prizmic, meanwhile, displayed remarkable maturity in the closing stages of the contest. Rather than becoming tentative against his idol, the Croatian maintained his aggressive approach and continued targeting Djokovic’s movement.
His courage paid off as he secured the decisive break before serving out the biggest victory of his professional career.
The win continues a remarkable rise for Prizmic, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2026.
Only a year ago, the Croatian was ranked outside the world’s top 300. This week in Rome, he arrived at a career-high ATP ranking of No. 79 and with growing confidence following a series of impressive performances on the tour.
Prizmic has now won eight of his last nine matches, including successful qualification campaigns in both Madrid and Rome. Last month, he also reached the final of an ATP Challenger event in Italy, further underlining his rapid development on clay courts.
The Croatian has additionally demonstrated an ability to compete against elite opposition. Earlier this season, he defeated American star Ben Shelton during an impressive run at the Madrid Masters, giving him two career victories over top-10 players.
Those results suggest Prizmic is no longer simply a promising young talent but a genuine emerging force capable of challenging established stars.
For Djokovic, however, the defeat raises difficult questions ahead of the French Open later this month.
The Serbian entered the clay-court season hoping to build momentum toward Roland Garros, where he is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. Instead, his early exit in Rome has intensified concerns about his physical readiness and overall form.
Although Djokovic reached the Australian Open final earlier this year after defeating Jannik Sinner in a high-profile semifinal, his performances since then have lacked consistency.
Injuries, physical fatigue, and limited match activity have complicated his preparations during the first half of the season.
Rome has traditionally been one of Djokovic’s most successful tournaments. Before this defeat, he had compiled an extraordinary 18-1 record in opening matches at the Italian Open and had established himself as one of the dominant figures in the tournament’s modern history.
The Serbian’s ability to excel on clay has long made him one of the favorites heading into Roland Garros each year. However, the physical issues displayed against Prizmic could become a major concern if they persist into the remainder of the clay season.
Analysts noted that Djokovic appeared particularly uncomfortable during extended baseline exchanges, an unusual sight for a player renowned for his endurance and defensive capabilities.
His movement toward wide balls looked restricted at times, while his recovery between rallies lacked the fluidity normally associated with his game.
Still, Djokovic has repeatedly demonstrated throughout his career that he should never be underestimated, especially at Grand Slam level.
The Serbian has built a reputation for overcoming adversity and peaking physically during the sport’s biggest events. Many observers therefore believe he still has time to recover and rediscover his best form before the French Open begins.
For Prizmic, meanwhile, the victory could represent a defining moment in his career.
Defeating Djokovic on one of tennis’s most prestigious stages provides not only ranking points and confidence but also significant recognition within the sport. The Croatian now advances to the third round carrying momentum and growing belief that he can compete with the world’s elite players.
His performance in Rome also reflects the increasing depth of talent emerging in men’s tennis.
As established champions like Djokovic approach the latter stages of their careers, younger players continue pushing aggressively to establish themselves at the top level. Prizmic’s fearless display against the Serbian symbolized that generational shift.
The atmosphere inside Foro Italico reflected the significance of the upset. While many fans arrived expecting another routine Djokovic victory, they instead witnessed one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
By the end of the match, applause echoed around the stadium not only for the Croatian’s brilliance but also for Djokovic’s fighting spirit despite obvious physical difficulties.
As the clay-court season moves toward its climax in Paris, both players now face crucial next steps.
Prizmic will attempt to continue the momentum of his breakout campaign, while Djokovic must focus on recovery and rediscovering the physical sharpness required to compete for another Grand Slam title.
For now, however, the spotlight belongs firmly to the young Croatian who stunned one of tennis’s greatest champions in Rome and announced himself as one of the sport’s rising stars.
