The clay season intensifies in Rome as Novak Djokovic makes his return to competition at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, with the tournament offering an important test ahead of Roland Garros.
Now back after a two-month break, Djokovic arrives at a potentially favourable moment. With top rival Carlos Alcaraz absent from the draw, attention has turned to whether the Serbian star can strengthen his push for a record 25th Grand Slam title later this season.
The timing of his return is also significant as he prepares for his final stretch of clay-court preparation before Paris. At 38 and turning 39 soon, Djokovic will be focused on regaining rhythm quickly while managing his workload on the demanding surface.
His opening match comes against Croatia’s rising talent Dino Prizmic, who previously pushed Djokovic in a competitive Australian Open meeting. Prizmic’s aggressive baseline game is well suited to clay, meaning the veteran will likely need to settle early into high-intensity rallies.
Source: Punto de Break
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar continues his breakout season after a rapid rise up the rankings. Once outside the top 100, Jodar now competes as a seeded player following strong results, including an ATP 250 title and a deep run at a 500-level event.
He now faces Portugal’s experienced clay-court specialist Nuno Borges, a matchup that tests Jodar’s consistency against a player known for tactical variety and patience on slower courts.
In the women’s draw, attention turns to a compelling clash between Karolina Muchova and Anastasia Potapova.
Muchova enters Rome in strong form after reaching a clay final in Stuttgart, with her all-court versatility and shot variety making her a dangerous contender on any given day.
Potapova, meanwhile, arrives with renewed confidence following a standout run in Madrid, where she defeated top opponents including Elena Rybakina. Her recent surge in form and ranking has shifted expectations, raising questions about whether she can now deliver more consistently at major events.
As the tournament progresses, Rome continues to serve as a key indicator of form heading into Roland Garros, with established champions and emerging talents both aiming to build momentum on the clay.
