Ailing Djokovic Stunned By Prizmic In Rome Opener 

Dino Prizmic
Dino Prizmic (photo: Tullio Puglia/FITP)

ROME/WASHINGTON, May 8, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

Six-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic returned to much fanfare and adulation at Foro Italico this week for the first time since 2024, after skipping the Internazionali BNL d’Italia event last year.

Opening against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, the World No. 4 and third seed Djokovic came in undefeated (18-0) in his opening rounds at the ATP Masters 1000 event. He’s now tied with Rafael Nadal for most appearances in Rome (19) and tied with Roger Federer for second-most ATP Masters 1000 appearances in series history (138).

However, playing in his first tournament on clay since advancing to the semifinals at Roland-Garros last year was not a guarantee for success. Instead, the 20-year-old, 79th-ranked Prizmic pulled off a stunning upset over a visibly ailing 38-year-old Djokovic. Prizmic won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 15 minutes on Campo Centrale to advance to the third round.

“For me, it is hard to [know what to] say. I have big respect for Novak. He is my idol, so it was a great match for me today,” Prizmic said during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “I played unbelievable and I want to stay focused and be ready for the next one.

“First set he played unbelievable and at the end of the set I tried to find my game and I did it, so it is very, very good.”

Prizmic overcame 30 unforced errors to hit 25 winners. He broke Djokovic’s serve three times in six tries, including in the fifth game of the final set to go ahead 3-2, from which he never lost ground. Prizmic outpointed his opponent 75-71. By comparison, Djokovic hit 17 winners but committed 26 unforced errors. In the final two sets, Djokovic faded physically. He bent over at the waist numerous times in between points and walked slowly to his bench during change overs.

During his post-match news conference, Djokovic demurred when asked to explain his physical condition against Prizmic.

“I hope you understand I will not talk about that,” he said. 

“I want to congratulate Dino. Deservedly the winner today.”

Djokovic added: “Yeah, came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately, only a match. It’s all right. I’m pleased at least that I fought until the end. I want to thank the crowd. It was incredible once again. I mean, the support and love that I’ve been getting, it’s something I don’t take for granted.”

In the third round, Prizmic will face No. 31 seed Ugo Humbert of France, who defeated No. 55 Vit Kopriva of Czechia, 6-3, 6-2, in their second-round match on Court 13 Friday evening. Humbert hit his seventh ace on match point and saved all six break points he faced from Kopriva.

Zverev tested by Altmaier, advances

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev brought a 3-1 head-to-head advantage into his second-round match against fellow German Daniel Altmaier, ranked 64th, following a 90-minute rain delay. The second-seeded Zverev battled his way to a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Altmaier in an hour and 44 minutes on Campo Centrale to advance to the third round. 

Against Altmaier, Zverev hit 26 winners and converted four of five break points. He outpointed his opponent 67-56.

The two-time Rome champion Zverev (2017, 2024) improved to 20-5 at ATP Masters 1000 events since Paris, suffering all five loses to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, including last Sunday’s Madrid Open final. The 29-year-old from Hamburg also owns the most clay wins at ATP Masters 1000 level since 2020 with 47.

“It was a difficult match for me physically. I don’t feel too well,” Zverev said in his on-court interview with ATP Media afterward. “He played incredibly. I thought this was the best he – maybe – has ever played, especially against me. He’s quite a defensive player, so you need to be aggressive yourself. You need to control the rallies. I found a way and that’s the most important.”

Next, Zverev will face No. 36 Alexander Blockx of Belgium, whom he beat last weekend in the Madrid Open semifinals. On Friday, Blockx battled past No. 29 seed Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, in two hours and 20 minutes on Court 13. Blockx finished with 37 winners – including 12 aces – and made just seven unforced errors.

Jodar is 4th teen to reach Rome third round

Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar, ranked No. 34, improved to 13-2 on clay at tour-level after defeating 52nd-ranked Nuno Borges of Portugal, 7-6 (4), 6-4, in one hour and 56 minutes on Supertennis Arena. It was his first win as a seeded player.

The 19-year-old from Madrid, who improved his win-loss record to 18-8, hit 30 winners – including 11 aces – and won 77 percent of his first-serve points. He converted two of seven break points and outpointed Borges 86-74 in his Rome debut. 

The No. 32 seed Jodar became the fourth teenager to reach the third round at Rome this decade, after Lorenzo Musetti, 18, in 2020; Jannik Sinner, 19, in 2020; and Jakub Mensik, 19, in 2025.

“It was a very tough match,” Jodar said during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “Nuno played very well from the first point, so I had to give my best level to win this match. I’ve played many matches in the last two tournaments, so I know I have to recover well and get ready for the next matches.”

Next, Jodar will face 106th-ranked Italian wild card Matteo Arnaldi, who rallied to upset World No. 8 and sixth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in two hours and 56 minutes on BNP Paribas Arena. Arnaldi broke de Minaur to go ahead 5-4 in the final set and served out the victory. Arnaldi outpointed de Minaur 106-98.

Arnaldi became the lowest-ranked Italian to defeat an ATP Top 10 player in Rome since 2001.

 

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Around the Foro Italico

• No. 13 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia won his ninth match of the year and improved to 3-1 lifetime against 85th-ranked Aleksandr Shevchenko of Kazakhstan, with his 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 43 minutes on Court 1. Next, Khachanov will face No. 54 Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, who beat 95th-ranked American lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5), in two hours and seven minutes on Court 1.

• Other Friday winners advancing to the third round include:

No. 9 seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, No. 11 seed Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, No. 16 seed Tommy Paul of the United States, No. 19 seed Learner Tien of the United States, No. 23 seed Casper Ruud of Norway and No. 25 seed Fernando Cerundolo of Argentina.

Friday’s Italian Open results

Saturday’s Italian Open order of play

By the numbers

No. 2 Italian Lorenzo Musetti advanced to the Rome semifinals last year, joining Jannik Sinner to become the first Italian duo to reach the last four of same ATP Masters 1000 event in series history. If Musetti defeats Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France Friday night – he leads their head-to-head 4-1 – he would become the 10th Italian man to record 10 main draw wins in the Eternal City in the Open Era.

“Quotable …”

“He’s a great competitor, great fighter, a great kid. I’ve known him for some years. Obviously we speak the same language, so I always wish him all the best.

“Today, he has definitely performed a high-level tennis. I told him at the net that his forehand improved a lot. Whatever he has been doing with his team is working out well. He should just keep going.”

– World No. 4 Novak Djokovic following his loss to 79th-ranked qualifier Dino Prizmic in the second round Friday evening.

 

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