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Novak Djokovic was beaten by gutsy qualifier Dino Prizmic on his return to action in the Italian Open second round.<\/b><\/p>\n
World number four Djokovic was playing his first match since 12 March – and more crucially his first of the year on clay – after missing several tournaments with a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
A six-time champion in Rome, Djokovic started strongly but was laboured and looked to be struggling with illness in the second set.<\/p>\n
However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia’s Prizmic, who played bravely to overpower the Serb 2-6 6-2 6-4.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old, one of many players who counts Djokovic as his idol, wrote “Nole it was a pleasure” on the camera lens after the match.<\/p>\n
Djokovic, who received a first-round bye in Italy, said afterwards he will not play before the French Open begins on 24 May, where he will once again be chasing a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title.<\/p>\n
“I’m not definitely where I want to be to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far,” the 38-year-old said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t recall last time I had a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.<\/p>\n
“There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”<\/p>\n
Djokovic, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros last year, reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
He will turn 39 two days before the French Open gets under way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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