Novak Djokovic refuses to discuss concerns and confirms French Open plans after shock loss | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic says he “doesn’t want to talk about” his physical issues after he was seen doubling over and grabbing his stomach during a shock opening-round loss at the Italian Open. The third seed stormed through the opening set but suddenly took a turn for the worse, and was beaten by 20-year-old qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6 6-2 6-4.

This is the first time the Serbian superstar has lost his opening match in Rome in 19 appearances, and the manner of his defeat raises plenty of questions about his health and fitness. Djokovic appeared to either spit or vomit during the second set, but never called for the doctor or physio.

However, when asked about what he’d been feeling on the court, the six-time former Italian Open champion wanted to keep the focus firmly on Prizmic and his impressive performance. “I hope you understand I will not talk about that. I want to congratulate Dino. Deservedly the winner today,” Djokovic said, before turning his attention to his one-and-done outing in Rome.

“Yeah, came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately only a match. It’s all right. I’m pleased at least that I fought till the end. I want to thank the crowd. It was incredible once again. I mean, the support and love that I’ve been getting, it’s something I don’t take for granted.”

While Djokovic did not go into detail about the illness or injury he suffered on Friday, the 38-year-old admitted that he was always carrying some sort of ailment at this stage in his career – something he has had to accept.

“It’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest. I don’t recall the last time I had, in the last couple years, a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with,” he added.

“Yeah, it is frustrating. At the same time, it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions. It is what it is.”

Djokovic also had a disappointing run at the clay-court Masters events last year, losing his opening matches in Monte Carlo and Madrid. He skipped the Italian Open, and then won the ATP 250 event in Geneva before reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.

This time, however, the world No. 4 has decided he will not compete in Geneva or any other event before Roland Garros. It means he’ll go into the second Major tournament of the year having played and lost just one match on the clay. “This year, no. I’ll just go to Paris, straight,” he stated. “It’s the decision. It’s the decision.”

The same strategy paid off at the Australian Open in January. Djokovic came into that tournament having not played a match since he won the ATP 250 in Athens in November 2025. But he still shocked Jannik Sinner on his way to the final. And the three-time former French Open champion also doesn’t think his performance in Rome was that worrying.

He explained: “I mean, it was okay. I didn’t play so bad. I don’t think I played so bad, to be honest. Okay, the second set was something to forget, obviously, the way I felt on the court. But the first and third was good. It was okay. It was a good battle in 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. Eventually, you have to play. You have to start somewhere. I wanted to start earlier, but I couldn’t. So yeah, that’s what it is. The situation is as it is. You just adapt to it and make the most out of it. I train hard. I train as much as the body allows me to. Then, how it turns out on the court, that’s really unpredictable.”

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