Novak returned to competition after nearly two months away from the court and played his first official clay-court match of the 2026 season.
The third seed at the “Internazionali BNL d’Italia” in Rome suffered a surprise second-round defeat to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic (ATP No. 79) in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 4-6.
The match lasted two hours and 15 minutes, and after an excellent opening set, Novak was unable to maintain the same level and secure victory in his opening match in Rome.
Djokovic imposed a high tempo from the start and opened the match with great confidence. During the first set, he played extremely solid tennis, committing only four unforced errors, while the 20-year-old Prizmic made 12. Although Novak failed to convert a break point in the fourth game, he earned the breakthrough in his opponent’s next service game. He further underlined his control with another break late in the set and claimed the opener 6-2 after 40 minutes.
In the second set, Novak lacked his usual energy and it became clear that he was not feeling at his best on court. Prizmic took advantage, quickly building a double-break lead to go up 4-0. The Croatian comfortably closed out the set 6-2 to level the match, and received medical treatment at the end of the set.
Novak looked considerably sharper in the deciding set, but Prizmic raised his level even further, playing aggressively and forcing errors from the Serbian with sustained pressure from the baseline. The key moment came in the fifth game, when the Croatian secured the decisive break. Novak was unable to recover the deficit, suffering his first-ever second-round defeat in Rome.
Statistics: aces (0-3), double faults (1-2), winners (17-23), unforced errors (25-28), total points won (71-75).
Photo: Profimedia