05/08/26 01:22:00
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05/08 13:21 CDT Djokovic beaten by a Croatian qualifier 18 years younger than
him at the Italian Open
Djokovic beaten by a Croatian qualifier 18 years younger than him at the
Italian Open
ROME (AP) --- Novak Djokovic was beaten by a Croatian qualifier 18 years
younger than him at the Italian Open on Friday in his first match after two
months out due to a right shoulder injury.
The 20-year-old Dino Prizmic defeated the record 24-time Grand Slam champion
2-6, 6-2, 6-4 with an ace on his first match point.
The 38-year-old Djokovic hadn't played since losing to Jack Draper in the
fourth round in Indian Wells, California, in March.
Djokovic had taping on his right shoulder that was revealed when he changed
shirts between sets.
A six-time Rome champion, Djokovic is preparing for the French Open, which
starts on May 24.
In Djokovic's only other tournament this year, he reached the Australian Open
final and lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
The 79th-ranked Prizmic beat No. 6 Ben Shelton to reach the third round at the
Madrid Open last month.
"He's my idol," Prizmic said of Djokovic. "I just played unbelievably today."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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