Novak Djokovic has acknowledged that he must come to terms with the "new reality" of persistent physical challenges in the twilight of his career, following a disappointing second-round exit at the Italian Open. The 38-year-old Serbian, returning from an injury-plagued clay-court season, was defeated by Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic in a three-set thriller, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
A Tough Comeback
Djokovic had not competed since the Indian Wells Masters two months prior, making this his first tournament since his impressive run to the Australian Open final. As the fourth seed in Rome, he received a first-round bye. Despite a strong start, the veteran was outlasted by the 20-year-old Prizmic, who displayed remarkable resilience and aggressive tennis to secure the biggest win of his career.
"It's not an ideal preparation, to be honest," Djokovic admitted. "I don't recall the last time I had a preparation without any physical or health issues before a tournament. There's always something. It's a kind of new reality I have to deal with. It is frustrating, but it's my decision to continue performing in this state. It is what it is."
Prizmic's Rise
Prizmic, known for his exceptional athleticism and defensive skills, dragged Djokovic into lengthy, gruelling rallies. As the match progressed, Djokovic, who had his shoulder taped, struggled to keep pace. He quickly fell 4-0 down in the second set and could not recover his form.
Out of respect for his opponent, Djokovic declined to elaborate on his physical issues in the post-match press conference. Instead, he praised Prizmic's improvement since their previous encounter. "He's a great competitor, a great fighter, a great kid," Djokovic said. "I've known him for years. We speak the same language, so I always wish him well. Today he played high-level tennis. I told him his forehand has improved a lot. Whatever he's doing with his team is working. He should keep going."
French Open Concerns
This marks the second consecutive year that Djokovic heads to Roland Garros without a single win at the three ATP Masters clay events, having lost his opening matches at Monte Carlo and Madrid. Last year, a last-minute wildcard at the Geneva Open gave him enough match practice to reach the semi-finals, where he fell to Jannik Sinner in three tight sets. However, Djokovic confirmed he will not compete in the week before the French Open this year. When asked if he believes he will be in good shape for Paris, he replied with a smile, "I don't know. I hope so. Let's see what happens."
