Novak Djokovic was beaten by gutsy qualifier Dino Prizmic on his return to action in the Italian Open second round.

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.

A six-time champion in Rome, Djokovic started strongly but was laboured and looked to be struggling with illness in the second set.

However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia’s Prizmic, who played bravely to overpower the Serb 2-6 6-2 6-4.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”

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.

He will turn 39 two days before the French Open gets under way.