Novak Djokovic suffered an unexpected early exit from the Italian Open, falling to qualifier Dino Prizmic in a second-round match on Friday.
The Croatian player secured a surprise victory with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, raising concerns about Djokovic's physical condition ahead of the upcoming Roland Garros.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was returning from a shoulder injury and expressed uncertainty about his fitness for the French Open.
"I hope so," Djokovic replied when asked about his chances at Roland Garros, highlighting his ongoing physical challenges.
Novak Djokovic
He acknowledged that injuries have plagued his preparations for tournaments in recent years, stating, "It's always something, it's kind of a new reality that I have to deal with."
Despite starting strong by winning the first set, Djokovic faltered against Prizmic's powerful play, which has propelled the 20-year-old to a career-high ranking of 79.
Prizmic's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as he now has the opportunity to advance further in the tournament.
"He's a great competitor, a great fighter," said Djokovic of Prizmic, praising the young player's performance.
Novak Djokovic
In other matches, Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round, defeating fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets.
Three-time champion Iga Swiatek also progressed after a hard-fought match against Caty McNally, which lasted nearly three hours.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, is seeking her first clay title since her last French Open victory in 2024.