Tabilo beats Djokovic in a huge upset at the Italian Open, two days after the bottle accident

Chilean Alejandro Tabilo achieved the biggest victory of his career when he beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-3 in the third round of the Italian Open on Sunday, two days after beating the Serb, in a match which only lasted 67 minutes on the head through a water bottle.

Djokovic has won the tournament six times, his last title coming in 2022, but Tabilo broke the top seeds four times on Center Court without conceding a single break point.

Djokovic looked far from his best and the 36-year-old blamed Friday’s “unfortunate” incident in which he was accidentally hit in the head by a fan’s water bottle while signing autographs after his second-round victory.

“That really touched me a lot. After that I received medical attention and had nausea, dizziness and blood for half an hour, an hour,” Djokovic said at a news conference, adding that he would undergo an ultrasound scan later.

“I slept well, I had a headache. The next day or yesterday it was pretty good so I thought it was fine. Maybe it’s okay, maybe it’s not.”

“The way I felt on the pitch today was just like another player had walked in my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance at all on any beat. That’s a bit worrying.”

The victory made the 26-year-old Tabilo – who won a Challenger Tour tournament two weeks ago – the first Chilean in 17 years to beat a world number one since Fernando Gonzalez defeated Roger Federer at the 2007 ATP Finals.

“It’s incredible. I came onto the pitch and just looked around, taking everything in and trying to process it all. I’m just trying to wake up,” said Tabilo, ranked 32nd in the world.

The result also means Djokovic – who double-faulted on match point – has not reached a single final in 2024 and has played just six matches on clay in the lead-up to the French Open.

The Serb had reached the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters but an early exit in Rome could affect his preparations for Roland Garros, where the second Grand Slam of the year begins on May 26.

When asked about his French Open chances, Djokovic said: “Everything has to get better so that I at least have a chance of winning it.”