Novak Djokovic Faces Fresh Questions After Italian Open Exit Ahead of Roland Garros

Tennis legend Novak djokovic suffered another worrying setback ahead of Roland Garros after crashing out of the Italian Open following a shock defeat to Croatian youngster Dino Prižmić in Rome. The loss has intensified scrutiny around Djokovic’s recent form, fitness concerns, and preparations for the French Open as the Serbian star continues to struggle for rhythm during the 2026 clay court season.

The 24 time Grand Slam champion looked physically uncomfortable during key moments of the match and refused to discuss possible injury concerns afterward. When questioned about his physical condition, Djokovic told reporters, “I don’t want to talk about it,” before leaving the press conference abruptly.

The defeat marked one of the biggest wins of Dino Prižmić’s career, with the 21 year old Croatian producing an aggressive baseline display against the former world number one. Prižmić long considered one of Croatia’s brightest tennis prospects, maintained composure during crucial rallies and capitalised on Djokovic’s inconsistent movement throughout the match.

Djokovic has endured an unusually turbulent season by his elite standards. The Serbian has yet to win a major title in 2026 and has faced repeated questions regarding his fitness after withdrawing from several tournaments earlier in the year. The latest Italian Open defeat further raises doubts about his readiness for Roland Garros, where he remains one of the biggest draws despite recent struggles.

Former players and analysts have also begun discussing the physical demands of maintaining peak performance deep into Djokovic’s career. BBC analysts noted that the Serbian’s movement and recovery patterns in Rome looked noticeably different compared to previous seasons.

Despite the defeat, Djokovic is still expected to compete at Roland Garros later this month unless further medical concerns emerge. Tournament organisers continue to list him among the headline players for the Grand Slam event in Paris.

Sportscape feels that Novak Djokovic’s latest defeat reflects a rare period of uncertainty in one of tennis’ most dominant careers.

With younger players like Dino Prižmić increasingly challenging established stars, the 2026 clay season may signal a significant generational shift in men’s tennis.