Novak Djokovic drops 'I don't know' bombshell for French Open as fitness concerns loom after shock defeat in Rome

Novak Djokovic is not sure whether he will be fully fit during the French Open or not after he was knocked out from the Italian Open on Friday in just the second round thanks to a shock defeat at the hands of the 20-year-old Dino Prizmic of Croatia.

The record 24-time Grand Slam champion started the match well and looked in good touch but ultimately Prizmic prevailed 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. This was Djokovic's return to competitive tennis after a couple of months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.

After the match, the former World No. 1 complained that he was getting late on the ball and was not playing at the level which he wants to.

Djokovic 'missing' something

“I see what I’m missing,” Djokovic said after his shock defeat. “Late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far."

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Djokovic had taping on his right shoulder that was revealed when he changed shirts between sets. His remarks also hinted that he might not be fully fit.

“Eventually you have to play. You have to start somewhere. I wanted to start earlier but I couldn’t. The situation is as it is. You make the most out of it. I train hard. I train as much as the body allows me to. Then how it turns out on the court, that’s really unpredictable," he said.

Asked if he was confident he’ll be in good shape for the French Open, Djokovic said, “I don’t know.” With a smile he added, “I hope so.”

The 38-year-old Djokovic hadn’t played since March when he lost to Jack Draper in the fourth round in Indian Wells, California. In Djokovic’s only other tournament this year, he reached the Australian Open final and lost to Carlos Alcaraz.