Facing Djokovic on Slam debut, Prizmic ready for biggest test

‘Game, set, match, Prizmic’

These were the words that sent Dino Prizmic’s arms into the air Friday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where the 18-year-old qualified for his first major on a sun-baked court 12.

The Croatian’s reward for reaching the first round? A matchup with World No. 1 and record 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

“For me every player is really good. But Djokovic has his mental strength,” Prizmic told ATPTour.com after qualifying. “But I said every player is good. The stadium will be full. I just want to play my best tennis and I don't have anything to lose and that's it.”

The Croatian first started playing tennis at Tenis Klub Split, where Goran Ivanisevic and Mario Ancic also learned the game. Aged 14, the #NextGenATP star moved to Zagreb, where there were players with whom to practise.

Friday’s victory against Aziz Dougaz was the result of a lifetime of hard work.

“I'm very happy about that because it's my first Grand Slam,” Prizmic said. “It is a big moment for me and I just want to stay focused and play the next match. I will act like it is a normal match, not very stressed. I just want to play, be relaxed and to give the best for me.”

Last season, Prizmic won the Roland Garros boys’ singles title and a clinched an ATP Challenger Tour trophy in Banja Luka.

He was the first player to win a Grand Slam junior crown and a Challenger title in the same season since Wu Yibing in 2017. The Croatian was also the first player to win the Roland Garros boys’ singles title and a Challenger trophy in the same season since Stan Wawrinka in 2003.

Prizmic, currently No. 178 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, will aim to build on his strong 2023 season this year. If he finishes inside the Top 8 in the Pepperstone ATP Race To Jeddah, he will qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah in December.

It is a long-term goal the 18-year-old is focused on.

“I watched many matches in Jeddah, with the best 20 and under players, where every player is very good. I want to play at the Next Gen [ATP Finals],” Prizmic said. “It is an aim but I need to play well and get my ranking to reach that level.”

Prizmic was not the only 18-year-old to qualify for the Australian Open on Friday. Czech Jakub Mensik, who advanced to the third round at the US Open in September, defeated Harold Mayot to reach the first round at the Australian Open for the first time.

Prizmic was full of praise for Mensik, happy to see his fellow 18-year-old qualify.

“I know him well,” Prizmic said. “I'm very good friends with him and he also reached the third round at the US Open. He's big talent and he's also very focused, big serve, big guy. I hope he also can beat someone in the first round because he is a very good player.”

Mensik will take on Denis Shapovalov, but all eyes will be on Prizmic, who meets Djokovic in the night session Sunday on Rod Laver Arena.