From Idolizing to Competing: Dino Prizmic’s Novak Djokovic Encounter

After passing three qualifying rounds, an 18-year-old Dino Prizmic will debut at Majors at the Australian Open. Prizmic’s reward is immense, earning a chance to meet a 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena in the night session! Dino could not believe it when he saw the draw, meeting his idol at one of the world’s most significant tennis arenas. The youngster is unsure what to expect, hoping to perform well in front of the packed stadium. Prizmic will try to enjoy and gather experience from the match against the rival who has won everything. Dino has also marveled at Novak’s on-court skills, learning from the Serb about the diet while trying to transform himself into a healthy and competitive player right from the start. Prizmic has followed Djokovic’s diet for three years, embracing healthy meals and focusing on proteins, eggs and vegetables while placing sweets aside.

Dino Prizmic will face Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. 

It implemented the young gun’s game, with Dino feeling strong and confident on the court, reducing fatigue and increasing energy. Prizmic comes from Split, the famous tennis city celebrated by Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic and Mario Ancic. The young Croat shined at the end of 2022, winning his first Futures title in Heraklion and adding three from as many weeks in Monastir at the end of the year. Dino wrapped up the year inside the top-500 and showed his skills at Challengers early in 2023. Prizmic cracked the top-300 in May and reached the quarter-final at the ATP event in Umag, falling to Alexei Popyrin in two tight sets.

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Kelly Defina / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

Dino lifted his first Challenger trophy in Banja Luka a few weeks later, entering the top-200 and allowing himself to compete at Majors. The young gun competed for Croatia at the Davis Cup Finals and scored his third ATP win of the season in Stockholm over world no. 30 Jiri Lehecka. Dino traveled to Melbourne, entering the first Major event of his career. A teenager defeated Mariano Navone from a set down in the first round and ousted fellow Croat Duje Ajdukovic in round two, delivering a bagel in the second set. Aziz Dougaz stood between Prizmic and the main draw, and the Croat earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory, moving toward the main action and setting the Rod Laver Arena clash versus Novak Djokovic.