Djokovic's Italian Open reign ends as Prizmic stuns world No. 4 in opener
Synopsis
Djokovic's grip on Rome slipped on a single afternoon. The six-time champion, troubled by stomach issues and a resurgent Prizmic, fell 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in his opening match—his first first-round exit at the Italian capital. The loss compounds pressure ahead of Roland Garros, where the World No. 4 chases a record 25th major.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic lost his Italian Open opener to Dario Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 on 9 May in Rome.
It marks Djokovic's first first-round exit at the Italian capital, breaking an 18-1 record.
Prizmic , ranked world No.
79 , rallied from a set down and recorded the biggest win of his career.
Djokovic appeared troubled by stomach discomfort and surrendered his opening break point in the third set.
Djokovic now turns focus to Roland Garros later this month, where he aims for a record-extending 25th major title .
Novak Djokovic, the six-time Italian Open champion, was eliminated in the first round on 9 May by Croatian qualifier Dario Prizmic, who rallied from a set down to secure a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory in Rome. The loss marks the first opening-round exit for Djokovic at the Italian capital in his record at the tournament — a 18-1 first-round record now blemished.
How the match unfolded
Djokovic dominated the opening set, breaking serve twice and wrapping it up in 40 minutes. However, his level collapsed sharply in the second set, seemingly troubled by stomach discomfort. His shots lost depth, precision faded, and his composure visibly unravelled between grimaces and frustrated gestures. Prizmic, undaunted by the moment, forced relentless errors and built a commanding 4-0 lead.
Prizmic's breakthrough performance
The 20-year-old continued to apply pressure without flinching, driving the match into a third set. In the decider, Djokovic surrendered serve on the first break point he faced and never recovered. Prizmic held firm throughout, creating no break opportunities for the 24-time Grand Slam champion and clinching the biggest win of his career with an ace — his third of the match.
Prizmic's trajectory
The world No. 79 has now recorded two top-10 victories, having previously defeated Ben Shelton en route to the third round at the Madrid Masters last month. He will next face Ugo Humbert in pursuit of his first fourth-round appearance at this level.
What's next for Djokovic
Djokovic, currently ranked World No. 4, reached the championship match at the Australian Open earlier this year after defeating Jannik Sinner. He will have limited time to recover before Roland Garros later this month, where he aims to capture a record-extending 25th major title.
Point of View
The Serbian champion can no longer afford opening-round slips — especially against unheralded qualifiers — without raising questions about his physical readiness and mental edge ahead of the majors. The stomach issues were a symptom, not an excuse. With Roland Garros weeks away and his 25th Grand Slam target looming, this defeat is a costly reminder that form, not seeding, wins tournaments.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dario Prizmic defeat Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open?
Prizmic won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 on 9 May in Rome, rallying from a set down. Djokovic dominated the first set but appeared troubled by stomach discomfort in the second, losing his composure and serve. Prizmic capitalized on the momentum and held firm in the third set to secure the biggest win of his career.
Why was this loss significant for Djokovic?
It marked Djokovic's first first-round exit at the Italian Open, breaking his 18-1 record in opening matches at the tournament. The loss comes at a critical juncture with Roland Garros just weeks away, where he aims for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
What is Dario Prizmic's ranking and career record?
Prizmic is ranked world No. 79. The 20-year-old has now recorded two top-10 victories, including his defeat of Ben Shelton at the Madrid Masters last month. His victory over Djokovic is the biggest win of his career.
What are Djokovic's next plans?
Djokovic will focus on recovery ahead of Roland Garros, which takes place later this month. The World No. 4 aims to capture a record-extending 25th major title at the French Open.
