World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic experienced an unsettling incident at the Italian Open when he was struck on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs after his victory. A video circulating on social media captured Djokovic falling to the ground upon being hit by the object, which reportedly came from the stands. Tournament organisers clarified that the incident was deemed an accident, as the bottle had inadvertently fallen out of the bag of a spectator in the crowd.
Despite the alarming moment, the 24-time Grand Slam champion remained on the ground briefly before receiving assistance from security personnel to exit the arena in Rome. Organisers of the tournament assured the public that Djokovic underwent necessary medical evaluations and had left for his hotel, emphasizing that his condition was not a cause for concern. Additional footage surfaced, showing a fan leaning over to obtain an autograph, with the bottle inadvertently slipping out of his rucksack.
The incident occurred as Djokovic was engaging with fans in the stands following his commanding 6-3 6-1 victory over France’s Corentin Moutet. While signing an autograph for a supporter, Djokovic was unexpectedly struck on the top of his head by the water bottle. Despite the incident, Djokovic is scheduled to continue his participation in the tournament, with his next match against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo slated for Sunday.
