Novak Djokovic suffers opening round defeat to qualifier Dino Prizmic at Italian Open, says he can 'go far in rankings'

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Novak Djokovic suffered an opening-round exit at the Italian Open in Rome, losing to qualifier Dino Prizmic, who he later tipped to "really go far in the rankings".

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Djokovic quickly moved a set ahead as he looked to bounce back from his Indian Wells disappointment in March - where he lost in the last 16 against Britain's Jack Draper - but Prizmic fought back excellently to win in three sets.

The 20-year-old, who is 18 years younger than 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic, secured a 2-6 6-2 6-4 win after the Serbian great showed notable signs of fatigue from the second set.

After the match, Djokovic spoke to Prizmic - who he overcame at the Australian Open two years ago - at the net and the youngster revealed what he told him.

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”He thought I was much better in my movement," Prizmic explained.

"He’s very happy because also when I played against him [in Australia], he told me lots of things, so I have huge respect for him for that."

Djokovic was visibly struggling in between points, as he often placed his hands on his knees and slowly walked back to his chair.

The 38-year-old has not played since Indian Wells due to a shoulder injury, which forced him to miss out on the Miami Open.

"I don’t recall a time, in the last couple of years, a preparation where I didn’t have any physical or health issues coming into the tournament; it’s kind of a new reality I have to deal with," Djokovic explained.

"It’s frustrating, but at the same time, it’s my decision to still perform in those states and conditions, so it is what it is."

Despite his underwhelming return, Djokovic was quick to praise Prizmic when he spoke to reporters after the match, and backed the Croatian to go far in his career.

”He’s a great competitor, great fighter, a great kid," Djokovic told Sky Sports.

"I've known him for some years. Obviously we speak the same language, so I always wish him all the best.

”Today he has definitely performed high-level tennis. I told him at the net that his forehand improved a lot. Whatever he has been doing with his team is working out well. He should just keep going.

”I thought also two, two-and-a-half years ago when we played in Australia, I think first round, I thought that he possesses a lot of talent and potential.

"Hopefully he can stay healthy because I know he struggled a lot with injuries. If things come together, he can really go far in the rankings.”

Prizmic will now prepare for his fifth match of the tournament after coming through three qualifying matches before facing his "idol" Djokovic.

"For me, it is hard to [know what to] say," Prizmic said after beating Djokovic. "I have big respect for Novak. He is my idol, so it was a great match for me today.

"I played unbelievable and I want to stay focused and be ready for the next one.

”The first set, he played unbelievable. I was like, ‘Okay, I will just try something to change’, and it worked.

"But definitely, he played a really, really unbelievable first set, and in the end of the second set, I tried to find my game and I did it. So yeah, it’s very, very, very, good."

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