Rome, 9 May 2026 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Novak Djokovic’s return from injury proved short-lived as he lost to qualifier Dino Prizmic in the second round of in Rome on Friday.

The 38-year-old had not played for two months since losing to Jack Draper in the fourth round in Indian Wells because of a shoulder injury and admitted ahead of his return in Italy that he was short of match fitness.

He looked sharp in the opening set but then appeared to feel under the weather at the start of the second and eventually fell to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 defeat.

Djokovic declined to talk about his physical struggles afterwards, saying at a press conference: “I hope you understand I will not talk about that. I want to congratulate Dino, deservedly the winner today.

“I 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.

“Obviously I see what I’m missing. Late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far.”

The loss means Djokovic will go into the French Open later this month having played only one match on clay, with the 24-time grand slam champion ruling out taking a wild card into a minor tournament the preceding week.

Asked if he was confident of being in good shape for Roland Garros, he replied: “I don’t know. I hope so.”

All appeared to be going smoothly for the Serbian until the start of the second set, when he began looking distinctly uncomfortable and glancing repeatedly towards his team.

After losing four games in a row, Djokovic rallied, but it was not enough to overhaul Croatian Prizmic, who grew up idolizing his opponent.

The pair shared a lengthy embrace at the net, while Djokovic left the court to warm applause and made a heart sign to the fans at the Foro Italico.

Second seed Alexander Zverev bounced back from his heavy loss to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Madrid Open last weekend by beating fellow German Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3 but Alex De Minaur was defeated by Italian Matteo Arnaldi.

Iga Swiatek was one of the players affected by illness in Madrid and, while she is now restored to full health, that is not the case for her coach, Francisco Roig.

The Spaniard, who linked up with Swiatek last month following his split from Emma Raducanu, has had surgery after tearing his Achilles during a practice game with the Pole.

Roig has returned to Rome, with Swiatek saying after a 6-1, 6-7 (7-5) 6-3 victory over Caty McNally: “He basically just missed one practice.

“For sure it’s not easy right now in the practices because he can’t be next to me but we’ll make it work.”

There were also second-round victories in the women’s draw for Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys.

Photo: epa