Djokovic fine-tunes on Rome's Piazza del Popolo ahead of Internazionali return
Synopsis
Djokovic's Rome return signals a calculated rebuild ahead of Roland Garros. At 38, the six-time Internazionali champion is playing catch-up after a two-month layoff — but his public session at Piazza del Popolo and a favourable draw suggest he remains dangerous on clay, even if the window for another Grand Slam title is narrowing.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic practised at Piazza del Popolo in Rome on Tuesday ahead of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia .
The 38-year-old Serbian has not competed since losing to Jack Draper at Indian Wells on 12 March .
Djokovic's last clay-court match was a Roland Garros semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in June 2024.
He holds a 68-12 record in Rome and has won the title six times (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2022).
Djokovic faces Marton Fucsovics or Dino Prizmic in his opening match at Foro Italico .
Italy's tennis boom, led by Jannik Sinner at No.
1 and Lorenzo Musetti at No.
10 , dominates the tournament narrative.
Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old former World No. 1, returned to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia this week after a two-month absence from tour competition, spending Tuesday practising on a temporary court at the iconic Piazza del Popolo in Rome. The Serbian legend, who holds a commanding 68-12 record at the ATP Masters 1000 event, last competed on 12 March when he lost to Jack Draper in the fourth round at Indian Wells.
Return to clay after near a year
Djokovic's Rome appearance marks his first tour-level clay-court match since his Roland Garros semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in June 2024. The 101-time ATP title winner appeared relaxed during Tuesday's public practice session at Piazza del Popolo, signing autographs for hundreds of fans who gathered to watch. His last Rome appearance came in 2024, when he exited in the third round to Alejandro Tabilo.
Opening draw and seeding outlook
In his opening match at the Foro Italico, Djokovic will face either Marton Fucsovics of Hungary or Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic. The draw positions him to potentially meet eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian homegrown talent, in the quarter-finals — a matchup that could reignite the narrative of generational transition in men's tennis.
Italy's tennis resurgence under spotlight
The Rome tournament comes amid a golden era for Italian tennis. Jannik Sinner has ascended to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings with 28 tour-level titles, while Italy has captured three consecutive Davis Cup crowns and the women have won the past two Billie Jean King Cup editions. World No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti, aged 24 and a career-high No. 5, is spearheading Italy's charge alongside Sinner this week.
Musetti on Italy's tennis boom
"I feel tennis right now is probably one of the most viral and most popular sports in the world, and especially in Europe and Italy right now," Musetti told ATP Media ahead of the tournament. "I think we are thanking Jannik, who is No. 1 in the world and has achieved so many titles. Jasmine Paolini on the women's side, and others and I" — underscoring how Italy's collective rise has elevated the sport's profile across the continent.
What lies ahead for Djokovic
With Roland Garros less than three weeks away, Rome serves as a crucial preparation ground for Djokovic. His record in the Eternal City — six titles across 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2022 — suggests he remains a formidable threat on clay, though age and extended absence from competition present fresh variables. The tournament will offer early indicators of his form heading into the French Open.
Point of View
With a two-month absence and a year away from clay, he is no longer the default favourite even in tournaments he has dominated. Sinner's rise to No. 1 and Italy's collective ascendancy have rewritten the narrative — Djokovic is now the veteran seeking to prove relevance, not the inevitable champion. His draw is kind, but the clock is unforgiving.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Novak Djokovic returning to competitive tennis?
Djokovic is competing this week at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, his first tournament since losing to Jack Draper at Indian Wells on 12 March. He practised at Piazza del Popolo on Tuesday ahead of his opening match.
Who will Djokovic face in his opening match at Rome?
Djokovic will face either Hungarian Marton Fucsovics or Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic in his first-round match at the Foro Italico.
What is Djokovic's record at the Rome Masters?
Djokovic holds a 68-12 record at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and has won the title six times: in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2022, making him one of the tournament's most successful champions.
When was Djokovic's last clay-court match before Rome?
His last clay-court match was a semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros in June 2024, making Rome his first clay-court competition in nearly a year.
How does Italy's tennis surge factor into the Rome tournament?
Italy is experiencing a tennis renaissance led by Jannik Sinner, now World No. 1 with 28 titles, and Lorenzo Musetti at World No. 10. The country has won three consecutive Davis Cups and two Billie Jean King Cups, elevating the sport's profile across Europe.
