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Novak Djokovic suffered a shock loss to the Croatian qualifier, 18 years his junior, at the Italian Open in his first match after being sidelined for two months with a shoulder injury.
20-year-old Dino Prismic fought back from a set down to beat the record 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6 6-2 6-4.
In his first appearance since losing to Britain’s Jack Draper in the fourth round at Indian Wells in March, Djokovic was seen with tape on his bothersome right shoulder.
Djokovic lost to 20-year-old qualifier Prismic in his opening match at the Italian Open.
The 38-year-old looked sharp in the opening set but then appeared to feel under the weather at the start of the second and eventually succumbed to his younger opponent.
“He’s my idol,” Prismick said later. “I played incredibly today.”
Prismic scores a stunning victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic
Djokovic, meanwhile, refused to talk about his physical struggles, telling a press conference: “I hope you understand that I’m not going to talk about this. I want to congratulate Dino, the winner today is deserved.
“I came for a match or so. Unfortunately only one match. All is well. I am at least satisfied that I fought to the end.
“Obviously I can see what I’m missing. Half a step late. I’m not sure where I want to be for the highest level and to be able to compete at the highest level and go far.”
A six-time Rome champion, Djokovic is preparing for the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open, which starts on May 24.
Asked if he was confident of being in good shape for Roland Garros, he replied: “I don’t know. Hopefully so.”
In Djokovic’s only other tournament this year, he reached the final of the Australian Open, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Elsewhere in Rome, second seed Alexander Zverev bounced back from his heavy loss to Janic Ciner in last weekend’s Madrid Open final to beat fellow German Daniel Altmaier 7-5 6-3.
Italian Matteo Arnaldi beat sixth seed Alex de Minaur 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
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