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11th May 2024
09:54am BST
Novak Djokovic was struck in the head by a large water bottle while signing autographs as he made his way off the court at the Italian Open in Rome.
Footage taken from the crowd shows the world number one reaching into the crowd to sign an autograph when a bottle falls from above him and lands directly on his head, sending him to the floor in pain.
Oh my god Djokovic got hit by a bottle while leaving the court in Rome.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 10, 2024
Hoping all is good! pic.twitter.com/YAQPySrukI
Security staff can be seen seconds later rushing to his aid before helping him up and into the changing rooms.
Djokovic took to X hours later to let fans know that he was ok and that the incident was an accident.
Thank you for the messages of concern. This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday. #IBI24
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 10, 2024
Another angle of the incident shows that it was indeed an accident, as a member of the crowd wearing a backpack can be seen leaning over the barrier in an attempt to sjake Djokovic's hand.
As he does so, the large and heavy water bottle falls out of it's holder on the side of his backpack, and falls directly down on to the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
The tournament released a video showing that Novak Djokovic was hit on the head by accident.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 10, 2024
The bottle slipped from a fan’s backpack.
Just a very unfortunate, unlucky situation. ❤️🩹
(via @InteBNLdItalia)
pic.twitter.com/5LIzzWZpMS
According to AP, the water bottle was an aluminium-type, and Djokovic received medical attention from staff in the dressing room before he was escorted off court.
The management of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia issued the following statement: "Novak Djokovic on leaving the Central court at the end of his match was hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs to spectators.
"He underwent appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel; his condition is not a cause for concern."
The Serbian overcame a slow start to earn a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Moutet to advance after one hour and 26 minutes.
"Match play is different to practise sets," Djokovic said in his on-court interview after the match. "I played a lefty and I have not practised with a lefty in a while, so it took me a little time to adjust to the different rotations of the ball. The first four games were quite bad from me. A bad start. I lost both my services games.
"But then I played well. I only lost one game from 1-3 down. Corentin is a very talented player. He has great hands and is very unpredictable. You don't know what comes up next, so I had to stay focused, which I did and it is a good opening match."
Djokovic will play his third round match on Sunday.
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