After shock elimination, Novak Djokovic reveals impact of bottle incident at 2024 Italian Open

Novak Djokovic suggested the bottle incident may have played a role in his surprise exit from the 2024 Italian Open. On Sunday, May 12, the 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to world number 32 Alejandro Tabilo 2-6, 3-6 And crashed in the clay court tournament. Tabilo needed just 67 minutes to defeat 36-year-old Djokovic.

Tabilo dominated his opponent so much that Djokovic didn’t get a single chance to break his serve. Djokovic was cautious on his second serves and made five double faults.

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A day before the match, Djokovic suffered a blow to the head after a bottle fell from a fan’s backpack. The veteran immediately felt the impact and put his hands on his head. Later, strangely enough, he came to the park in Rome wearing a helmet.

“It was really bad”

Djokovic admitted he was far from giving his best against Tabilo. He also said he would have to undergo medical examinations to determine the extent of his injury.

“I don’t know, to be honest. I have to check this. The training was different. Yesterday I wanted to do a light workout. I didn’t feel anything, but I didn’t feel that way either. Today under heavy strain it was pretty bad – not in terms of the pain, but in terms of the balance. Just no coordination,” Djokovic said in the post-match press conference.

“Completely different player than two nights ago. Could be. I don’t know. I have to do medical checks and see what’s going on,” Djokovic added.

Djokovic recently withdrew from the Madrid Open and he didn’t have the best of times in Rome either. Expectations are high for Djokovic at the upcoming French Open as he is the defending champion at Roland Garros.