Novak Djokovic Frustrated by an Imperfect Preparation for Roland Garros After Early Italian Open Exit

Novak Djokovic was handed a stunningly early exit at the Italian Open on Friday, falling to 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic in a grinding three-set upset. The defeat marks an unprecedented stumble for the tennis legend in the Italian capital.

Historically dominant on the Roman clay with six career titles at the venue, Djokovic had never lost his opening match at this tournament. Now, leaving the court after a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 loss, he faces a daunting race against time to find his form and physical fitness just weeks before the second Grand Slam of the year. Djokovic said in his press conference:

Yes, it’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest. I don’t recall last time I had in the last couple 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.

Djokovic says his preparation for Roland Garros is not ideal, ‘I don't recall last time I had in the last couple years a preparation where I didn't have any kind of physical or health issues coming into the tournament… Kind of a new reality I have to deal with’

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The world No. 4 appeared physically hampered throughout the two-hour and 15-minute battle on Campo Centrale against his teenage opponent. The issues increased alarmingly after the first set.

A physical toll on the clay for Novak Djokovic

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic looked comfortable early on, cruising through the opening set with the kind of baseline precision fans have come to expect. But the momentum shifted dramatically as the match wore on. The Serbian’s movement became noticeably labored in the second set, opening the door for Prizmic.

The young Croatian, who previously took a set off his childhood idol at the Australian Open earlier this year, played with relentless aggression and clear intent in the deciding frame to secure the biggest scalp of his young career.

For Djokovic, this was his first tournament appearance since March at Indian Wells, where he suffered a fourth-round defeat to Jack Draper. A lingering physical issue kept him sidelined for weeks, and that lack of match play was glaringly evident under the Roman sun.

Addressing the media regarding his physical state and the frustrating string of setbacks, the veteran did not mince words about his current reality. He echoed those sentiments before taking the court, telling the ATP that he was far from thrilled with his current level of tennis and movement. He wanted to return to the Tour sooner, but was forced to deal with his injuries progressively.

The road to Roland Garros

On the other side of the net, the victory continues a breakout clay-court season for the world No. 79. Prizmic recently dispatched Ben Shelton en route to the Madrid Open third round, and now adds a six-time Rome champion to his growing resume.

He advances to face either Vit Kopriva or Ugo Humbert in the next round. For Djokovic, the focus shifts entirely to survival and recovery.

With the French Open main draw commencing on May 24, the defending Roland Garros champion heads to Paris having played just one competitive match on dirt this spring. He will need to rely heavily on his historic resilience and muscle memory to navigate the grueling best-of-five format in France with severely limited preparation.

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