Novak Djokovic is set to return to competition at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The world number three will be making his latest start to the European clay-court season outside of the COVID-19 impacted swing in 2020.
Djokovic was among the draw highlights in Rome. He finds himself in the same half as Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic’s Return After Injury
The 38-year-old last played in March, where Jack Draper edged him out in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open. Djokovic subsequently withdrew from the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury. This withdrawal began a string of three missed 1000-level tournaments.
Rome Draw and Potential Matchups
Djokovic missed last year’s edition at the Foro Italico. This ended a streak of 18 consecutive main-draw appearances.
With an opening-round bye, Djokovic awaits Marton Fucsovics or a qualifier/lucky loser in his 2026 clay-court debut. He is projected to meet eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti in the last eight.
Seeds Jiri Lehecka, Karen Khachanov, Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud and Francisco Cerundolo also feature in this quarter of the draw.
Clay Court History
A year ago, after bowing out in both of his Monte Carlo and Madrid openers, the Serbian captured his 100th tour-level title at Geneva ahead of a semifinal showing in Paris.
- On four occasions, Djokovic’s annual surface debut has resulted in lifting the trophy.
ATP Top 5 and Roland Garros Seedings
The ATP’s Top 5 remains unchanged. Rome marks the final chance for players to make moves before Roland Garros seedings are set.
With two-time reigning French Open title holder Carlos Alcaraz out for the clay swing with injury, the two current benefactors for crucial seed bumps are No. 3-ranked Zverev and No. 5-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Zverev widened his lead over Djokovic to 1,105 rankings points by reaching the Mutua Madrid Open final. The three-time major finalist has 200 points to back up from his 2025 Rome quarterfinal result.
Jannik Sinner is coming off an ATP Masters 1000 triumph going into his Rome homecoming. Djokovic halted Sinner’s bid for a third successive Australian Open title in January.
After dropping his Doha quarterfinal to Jakub Mensik, the Italian has since put together a 23-match win streak in surpassing 14,000 rankings points for the first time.
Djokovic’s performance in Rome will be important as players aim to improve their rankings before Roland Garros seedings are finalised.