Djokovic stunned on return to action in Rome

Djokovic stunned on return to action in RomeImage source, ReutersImage caption, Novak Djokovic could not build on a positive start to his match in RomeByAmy LofthouseBBC Sport senior journalistPublished56 minutes agoNovak Djokovic was beaten by gutsy qualifier Dino Prizmic on his return to action in the Italian Open second round.World number four Djokovic was playing his first match since 12 March – and more crucially his first of the year on clay – after missing several tournaments with a shoulder injury.A six-time champion in Rome, Djokovic started strongly but was laboured and looked to be struggling with illness in the second set.However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia’s Prizmic, who played bravely to overpower the Serb 2-6 6-2 6-4.The 20-year-old, one of many players who counts Djokovic as his idol, wrote “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens after the match.Djokovic, who received a first-round bye in Italy, mentioned afterwards he will not play before the French Open begins on 24 May, where he will once again be chasing a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title.”I’m not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far,” the 38-year-old mentioned.”I don’t recall last time I had a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.”There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”Djokovic, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros last year, reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.He will turn 39 two days before the French Open gets under way.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Dino Prizmic (right) was two years old when Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam titleDjokovic had beaten Prizmic in their previous meeting at the 2024 Australian Open, saying afterwards it was “like playing myself in a mirror”.It was Djokovic who started the stronger of the two this time, dropping just three points behind serve as he wrapped up a quick first set.But Prizmic, backed by a big serve and even bigger forehand, won four games in a row to take control of the second.Djokovic moved sluggishly behind the baseline and resorted to drop shots in an attempt to shorten the points – but Prizmic was equal to almost every one, with 13 winners helping him force a deciding set.Both players left court before the third set and Djokovic seemed to have more energy as it began.However, Prizmic continued to get on top of the baseline exchanges and chase down Djokovic’s drop shots, breaking for a 3-2 lead as the Serb sent a volley long.Djokovic yelled in frustration at the final change of ends and the noise ramped up as Prizmic prepared to serve for the biggest victory of his career.Yet he was unfazed, continuing to hit big groundstrokes before sending an ace out wide to wrap up victory.It is a second top-10 win in as many weeks for Prizmic after he beat world number six Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open last month.”I don’t think I played so bad, to be honest. It was a good battle in the end,” Djokovic added.Analysis: Djokovic will hope for benign Paris drawByRussell Fuller