Novak Djokovic accepts new reality' after returning with defeat at Italian Open

"Djokovic has not competed since the Indian Wells Masters event two months ago, his only other tournament since his spectacular run to the Australian Open final. As the fourth seed in Rome, he received a first-round bye. Despite starting the match positively, the 38-year-old was outplayed by his 20-year-old opponent, who wore the Serb down physically and played bold tennis to escape with the greatest victory of his career."

"It's not an ideal preparation, to be honest, Djokovic said. I don't recall the last time I had in the last couple of 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. 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."

"Prizmic is a brilliant athlete armed with excellent defensive skills and rapid injections of pace off both wings. As he dragged the Serb into a stream of long, attritional rallies, his elder opponent simply could not keep up. Djokovic, whose shoulder was taped, was clearly struggling physically as he quickly found himself down 4-0 in the second set. Once the complexion of the match had changed, Djokovic could not find his way back."

"Out of respect for his opponent, Djokovic opted not to elaborate on his physical issues in a short press conference immediately after his defeat. He reserved his most expansive comments on the match for Prizmic, who he said had improved since they first faced each other."

Djokovic returned to competition after an injury-affected clay-court season and a second-round loss at the Italian Open. He had not played since the Indian Wells Masters two months earlier, aside from a run to the Australian Open final. As the fourth seed in Rome, he received a first-round bye but was defeated by 20-year-old qualifier Dino Prizmic. Djokovic started well, yet Prizmic wore him down with bold tennis and long, attritional rallies, using strong defense and pace from both wings. Djokovic struggled physically, with his shoulder taped, and fell behind quickly in the second set. Djokovic said preparation always involved physical issues and chose not to detail them further immediately after the match.

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