Novak Djokovic's return to clay at the Italian Open ended abruptly with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 loss to Dino Prizmic, a 20-year-old Croatian qualifier. This defeat is particularly shocking as Djokovic had never lost his opening match in 19 previous appearances at this tournament. Prizmic, who idolizes Djokovic, celebrated the victory as the highlight of his young career. Djokovic's performance raised concerns about his fitness, as he has been struggling with injuries, including visible shoulder strapping during the match. He admitted to facing ongoing physical issues, stating, 'It’s always something,' reflecting on his challenges in recent tournaments. This loss marks the second consecutive year Djokovic heads into the French Open without a victory in any of the ATP Masters clay events, casting doubt on his readiness for the Grand Slam.