Novak Djokovic suffers shock defeat to Dino Prizmic at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic has suffered a shock second-round defeat to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open in Rome.
The six-time tournament champion was competing in his first event since losing at Indian Wells in March.
However, the tennis icon looked physically hampered as he was beaten in three sets by the world number 79 on Campo Centrale.
Injury woes hamper French Open preparations
This surprise exit represents the Serbian’s first ever defeat in an opening match in the Italian capital.
It leaves the current world number four critically short of match fitness ahead of the French Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner has completed just one clay-court match before the second major of the year begins on 24 May.
Speaking to the ATP before taking to the court, he admitted he was struggling with his overall physical condition.
“I am not the happiest with the level of tennis or the movement or the physical state, but it is getting there,” he said.
“I wanted to be back on the Tour earlier but couldn’t. I was injured, so I had to deal with it progressively.”
Prizmic claims biggest career victory
The tournament favourite cruised through the opening set before his movement became noticeably laboured.
Prizmic played with relentless aggression to take control of the contest and secure a stunning two-hour victory over his childhood idol.
The Croatian teenager previously took a set off the former world number one at the Australian Open earlier this year.
He is currently enjoying a highly positive clay-court season, having recently defeated Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open for his first top-10 victory.
The rising star will now face either Vit Kopriva or Ugo Humbert in the third round.