Novak Djokovic’s return to the clay courts of Rome was supposed to be a triumphant prelude to another deep run at the Italian Open. Instead, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and six-time Rome winner was handed a stunning defeat on May 8, 2026, by 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prižmić, ranked world No. 79. The match, which ended 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in Prižmić’s favor, sent shockwaves through the tennis world and raised new questions about Djokovic’s readiness for the upcoming French Open.
Djokovic hadn’t played a professional match in over two months due to a right shoulder injury and hadn’t set foot on a clay court in nearly eleven months. His last appearance was at Indian Wells in March, where he lost to Jack Draper. Coming into Rome, Djokovic was still visibly hampered, sporting tape on his right shoulder and, as the match wore on, showing signs of illness that seemed to sap his energy. In the second set, he became sick and vomited on court, a rare and jarring sight for fans used to his steely resilience.
Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic started the match strong, taking the first set 6-2 with his trademark precision and defensive prowess. But as the match progressed, Prižmić’s youth and aggression began to tell. The Croatian, who idolizes Djokovic and had previously lost to him in a four-set battle at the 2024 Australian Open, broke through in the second set. Prižmić claimed the set 6-2, capitalizing on Djokovic’s sluggish movement and frequent drop shots that often backfired.
“For me, it is hard to [know what to] say,” Prižmić said via the ATP Tour after the match. “I have big respect for Novak. He is my idol, so it was a great match for me today. I played unbelievable and I want to stay focused and be ready for the next one.”
Prižmić’s victory was not only the biggest of his career but also his second win over a top-10 player in just two weeks, following his triumph against world No. 6 Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open in April. The Croatian qualifier broke Djokovic three times in the match, displaying relentless aggression and a knack for finding winners at crucial moments. His success at the net was especially notable, winning 11 of 14 points—a testament to his tactical maturity and confidence.
The turning point came early in the third set. At 2-all, Prižmić broke Djokovic’s serve for a 3-2 lead, then held his nerve as the partisan Roman crowd roared for the Serbian legend. Serving for the match at 5-4, Prižmić closed it out with a wide ace, sealing a two-hour, 15-minute victory and guaranteeing himself a career-high ranking. In a gesture of sportsmanship, he wrote on a television camera, “Nole [Djokovic], it was a pleasure!!”
Djokovic, who turns 39 on May 22, was candid in his post-match press conference about his physical state and the challenges he faces. “It’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest,” he admitted. “I don’t recall the last time in the last couple years (that I had) 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.”
When pressed about his confidence heading into the French Open, Djokovic offered a wry smile and said, “I don’t know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.” He also confirmed he would not play any ATP 250 events such as Geneva before Roland-Garros, stating simply, “It’s the decision.” Last year, Djokovic played and won the Geneva Open as a warmup, but this time he plans to head straight to Paris, despite his disrupted preparation.
Prižmić’s victory was a testament to his growing reputation on the ATP Tour. Having broken into the top 100 in the past month, he’s now notched two top-10 wins and displayed the poise of a seasoned pro against one of the sport’s all-time greats. His aggressive play, particularly his ability to hit winners and control the net, suggests a bright future. The Croatian will next face either 31st seed Ugo Humbert of France or Vít Kopřiva of Czechia in the third round, with all eyes on whether he can continue his remarkable run.
The atmosphere on Campo Centrale was electric, with the crowd’s support for Djokovic at times reaching Davis Cup levels. Yet Prižmić handled the pressure with remarkable composure, even as Djokovic grew visibly frustrated—asking for the court to be swept at the final changeover and expressing his emotions vocally. After the match, Djokovic was gracious in defeat, telling Prižmić at the net, “Your forehand improved a lot. Whatever you have been doing with your team is working out well. You should just keep going.”
For Djokovic, the loss marks his first-ever first-round exit in Rome after 18 consecutive opening-round wins. It also complicates his buildup to the French Open, especially with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner emerging as the favorite in Paris. While Djokovic’s legacy and experience mean he can never be counted out, his current form and physical state leave his prospects uncertain.
As for Prižmić, the victory cements his status as one of the sport’s rising stars. “Today he has definitely performed a high-level of tennis,” Djokovic said in his press conference. For the fans in Rome, it was an unforgettable night—a glimpse of the future, and perhaps a changing of the guard on the red clay of the Foro Italico.
With the French Open just over two weeks away, all eyes will be on Djokovic’s recovery and Prižmić’s continued ascent. If this match was any indication, the next generation is ready to challenge the game’s legends—and sometimes, on a damp evening in Rome, they succeed.