Djokovic stunned in Rome: Italian Open upset by Prizmic
Djokovic stunned in Rome: Italian Open upset by Prizmic
Six-time champion Djokovic crashes out in Rome’s Italian Open, stunned by qualifier Dino Prizmic in his first match since Indian Wells.
In Rome, the Italian Open produced a seismic upset as Novak Djokovic, the six-time champion, was eliminated in his first tournament since Indian Wells, losing to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic. Djokovic appeared off his best, misfiring at key moments as Prizmic seized the chance with fearless aggression and precise serving. The win marks a breakthrough result for Prizmic, who fought through the qualifiers to topple a modern great on the big stage.
Prizmic, who arrived in the main draw with little fanfare, dictated the tempo early and never let Djokovic settle into a rhythm. His defense was compact, and he mixed in sharp returns to disrupt the returning patterns that Djokovic typically relies on. The outcome was a reminder of the depth in men’s tennis and the unpredictable nature of the sport on any given day.
For Djokovic, the defeat complicates his clay-court calendar and raises questions about form as he transitions from Indian Wells to Europe’s red dirt. It’s a setback, but not an alarm bell for fans who know his resilience. The Italian Open will continue to unfold with other contenders keen to capitalize on any instability shown by the game’s legends, while Prizmic savors a career-defining win that could accelerate his ascent.
