Novak Djokovic returns to Rome: 6-time champion hits practice courts before return | ATP Tour
in Rome
Djokovic returns to Rome: The six-time champion hits the practice courts ahead of his return
The Serbian will compete for the first time since March after suffering an injury
May 05, 2026
International BNL d’Italia
Novak Djokovic practices with Ignacio Buse on Monday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.
By ATP staff
Novak Djokovic is ready to get back to business at the 2026 Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
The 40-time ATP Masters 1000 champion is in Rome preparing to return to action after missing more than six weeks due to injury. Djokovic, whose last match is against Jack Draper in Indian Wells on March 12, practiced with Peruvian Ignacio Buse on Monday at the Foro Italico.
Before his physical struggles, Djokovic was off to a good start to the 2026 season. The 38-year-old reached his first major final since 2024 at the Australian Open in January, and his Indian Wells run was ended by Draper in a fourth-round tiebreaker.
Now, the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will aim to make an immediate impact when he returns to Rome, where he is a six-time champion. Djokovic holds a record of 68-12 in the ‘Eternal City’, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, a total that includes his title wins from 2008, 2011, 2014-15, 2020 and 2022. Djokovic has beaten Rafael Nadal twice in Rome, the 1-time champion in Rome. Italico.
Home favorite Jannik Sinner – who is chasing his record sixth Masters 1000 and who will complete his Career Golden Masters by winning the Internazionali BNL d’Italia – could be the man to beat this year in Rome, but it was Djokovic who won the only of the two Lexus ATPnal Open Heads this year, the Australia Open Headhead. Sinner and Djokovic are on opposite sides of the Rome draw: Djokovic is set to meet World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, with Sinner likely to be the final opponent.
Djokovic, competing in Rome for the first time since his third-round exit from Alejandro Tabilo in 2024, will first focus on his opening match against Marton Fucsovics or the qualifier at the Foro Italico. The 101-time tour-level international will once again face home favorite and eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals.
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Novak Djokovic greets fans on Monday at the Foro Italico. Photo Credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia
