Djokovic beaten by a Croatian qualifier 18 years younger than him at the Italian Open

Novak Djokovic, 38, lost to 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open in Rome on Friday, May 8, 2026, in his first match after a two-month absence due to a right shoulder injury. Prizmic defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, clinching the victory with an ace on his first match point. Djokovic had last played in March, when he was eliminated by Jack Draper in the fourth round at Indian Wells.