Novak Djokovic showed his sense of humour by wearing a bike helmet to the Italian Open on Saturday after being accidentally struck by a water bottle on Friday night.
Djokovic, the world No 1, had signed a cap and then a sheet of paper as he headed for the exit when a metal bottle fell onto his head, following his second-round win at the Italian Open over Corentin Moutet.
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Djokovic was clearly in a lot of distress as he fell to the floor, and he stayed on the ground for more than 30 seconds before being escorted out by ground staff.
Initially, it was thought that the bottle might have been thrown deliberately, because footage of the incident obscured where the bottle had come from.
However, video shows the bottle slipping out of a spectactor’s backpack, as they bend over to attempt to get the attention of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
New angle, all clear now, Novak is fine 👇 pic.twitter.com/LWhhpTN0DY
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 10, 2024
Djokovic’s post-match press conference was cancelled, but the tournament issued a statement saying: “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.”
Djokovic later issued a statement of his own on X. “Thank you for the messages of concern,” he said.
“This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday.”
Today I came prepared. #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/b4tRYhZ8d7
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 11, 2024
On Saturday morning he turned up for a practice session wearing a cycling helmet, before signing autographs. He posted a video on his X account, saying: “Today I came prepared.”
Djokovic has won the Italian Open six times, and it will be his final warm-up event before he attempts to win his first Grand Slam title of the year at Roland Garros in Paris.
He is scheduled to play Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in the third round on Sunday.
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