Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to a Croatian qualifier 18 years younger than him at the Italian Open in his first match back after two months out with a shoulder injury.
The 20-year-old Dino Prizmic battled back from a set down to defeat the record 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6 6-2 6-4.
In his first appearance since losing to Britain’s Jack Draper in the fourth round of Indian Wells in March, Djokovic was seen with taping on his troublesome right shoulder.
Djokovic was beaten by 20-year-old qualifier Prizmic in his opening match at the Italian Open
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The 38-year-old looked sharp in the opening set but then appeared to feel under the weather at the start of the second and ultimately succumbed to his younger opponent.
“He’s my idol,” Prizmic said afterwards. “I just played unbelievably today.”
Prizmic secured a stunning victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic
Djokovic, meanwhile, 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.”
A six-time Rome champion, Djokovic is preparing for the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open, which starts on May 24.
Asked if he was confident of being in good shape for Roland Garros, he replied: “I don’t know. I hope so.”
In Djokovic’s only other tournament this year, he reached the Australian Open final, which he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Elsewhere in Rome, 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.
Sixth seed Alex De Minaur was beaten 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 by Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
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