The setting was pure theater. Novak Djokovic took to a temporary court set up in the Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome's most iconic squares, for a public practice session with Stefanos Tsitsipas. Hundreds of fans gathered around the makeshift court, cheering every shot from the 38-year-old Serb, who has not played a competitive match since losing to Jack Draper at Indian Wells on March 12.
Six weeks without competition is a long time for a player of his stature, yet Djokovic looked relaxed under the Roman sun, trading crisp groundstrokes before signing autographs for the crowd. The day before, he had already resumed practice at the Foro Italico with Peruvian Ignacio Buse.
The six-time Rome champion (2008, 2011, 2014-15, 2020, 2022) holds a formidable 68-12 record in the Eternal City. His last appearance here, however, dates back to 2024, when Alejandro Tabilo knocked him out in the third round. This time, Djokovic is returning to clay for the first time this season, with a ranking that has slipped and legitimate questions about his match fitness.
His opening opponent will be Marton Fucsovics or young Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, a gentle reintroduction before tougher tests, with Alexander Zverev lurking in the same half. The stakes go beyond Rome: with Roland-Garros a month away, Djokovic needs matches, rhythm, and confidence on the surface that has produced some of his greatest battles.
