Novak Djokovic plays down frightening incident in Rome | ATP Tour

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Djokovic plays down the frightening incident in Rome

The Serb jokingly wears a helmet to the venue on Saturday

May 11, 2024

Novak Djokovic jokingly wore a helmet at the Foro Italico on Saturday to reference a frightening incident that occurred after his second-round match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday.

The six-time Rome champion returned to the venue for training on Saturday and showed his comedic side as he approached fans wearing a helmet to sign autographs. “Today I was prepared,” he wrote on social media.

Today I was prepared. #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/b4tRYhZ8d7

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 11, 2024

After the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP rankings defeated Corentin Moutet on Friday, he signed autographs for fans in the hallway leading players off the court. A fan leaned over and a water bottle accidentally fell out of his book bag and hit Djokovic in the head.

“Novak Djokovic was accidentally hit in the head by a water bottle while leaving the central court at the end of his match while signing autographs for spectators. He received appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel; his condition is good.” “There is no need to worry,” the tournament organizers said in a statement shortly afterwards.

The 36-year-old reassured his fans from his hotel room.

“Thank you for the worrying news,” Djokovic wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It was an accident and I am fine resting in the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday.”

Djokovic had a big smile on his face as he interacted with fans on Saturday. The top seed will next face No. 29 seed Alejandro Tabilo. It will be the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.