Novak Djokovic, the world number one, expressed feeling hindered by the repercussions of being accidentally hit on the head by a bottle, leading to his unexpected defeat by Alejandro Tabilo at the Italian Open. The incident occurred as Djokovic was signing autographs after his second-round victory, causing him to struggle for rhythm in his subsequent match against Tabilo, who secured a swift victory in just 67 minutes.
Djokovic disclosed the extent of his discomfort, citing nausea, dizziness, and bleeding as immediate effects following the mishap. Despite initially making light of the situation, he admitted to experiencing headaches and sought further medical evaluation. His performance on the court suffered notably, leaving him feeling like a different player altogether, with concerns about his form lingering.
Tabilo’s triumph marked his first career victory over a top-10 ranked opponent, showcasing his dominance throughout the match by breaking Djokovic’s serve four times and maintaining control without conceding a single break point. The Chilean’s historic win sets the stage for a match against Karen Khachanov in the next round, underscoring the unpredictability of tennis tournaments and the potential for emerging talents to make their mark on the sport’s elite.
The defeat signifies a rare setback for Djokovic, ending his streak of reaching at least the quarter-finals in Rome since 2006. With the French Open on the horizon, Djokovic’s early exit raises questions about his preparation and form leading into the Grand Slam event. Meanwhile, other players like Aryna Sabalenka showcased their prowess, advancing smoothly in the tournament, setting the stage for intriguing matchups as the competition progresses.
