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Updated 44 minutes ago
Novak Djokovic was hit in the head by a bottle after his first match at the tournament in Rome. The unpleasant incident took place when the Serbian tennis player was signing autographs in the tunnel on his way off the court.
The world number one was leaving center court signing autographs after a 6-3, 6-1 victory over France’s Corentin Moutet when a bottle, believed to be made of stainless steel, came flying from the stands and hit him in the head.
Djokovic immediately fell to the ground and held his head for a long time before being escorted to the dressing rooms with the help of security personnel.
The dramatic moment was caught on the phone by one of the fans who asked the winner of a record twenty-four Grand Slam tournaments for an autograph.
“This is downright despicable and underlines how accessible tennis players in general are. Terrifying. Let’s hope Novak is OK,” former tennis player Patrick McEnroe commented on the incident.
As it turned out later, it was not a bad intention. Footage from another angle confirmed that the bottle had fallen from the rucksack of one of the spectators who was leaning over the railing above the tunnel.
The tournament released a video showing that Novak Djokovic was hit on the head by accident.
The bottle slipped from a fan’s backpack.
Just a very unfortunate, unlucky situation. ❤️🩹
(via @InteBNLdItalia)
pic.twitter.com/5LIzzWZpMS— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 10, 2024
The organizers subsequently reassured the fans, saying that Djokovic is not seriously injured, he just has a bump on his head. Anyway, the champion missed the post-match press conference due to an unfortunate moment.
The Serbian tennis player is playing in Rome after almost a month’s break, in the third round his opponent will be Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.
2024-05-10 20:02:00
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