Novak Djokovic downplays the incident in Rome | ATP Tour

Roma

Djokovic downplays incident in Rome

The Serbian appeared with a helmet as a joke this Saturday

May 11, 2024

Novak Djokovic brought out his most joking side this Saturday, when he appeared with a helmet at the Foro Italico downplaying the incident that occurred after his second round match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia just one day earlier.

The six-time champion in Rome showed up at the tournament to train and approached fans to sign autographs while wearing a helmet. “Today I come prepared,” he wrote on his social media channels.

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

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 11, 2024

After the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Corentin Moutet this Friday, he stood signing autographs for fans in the hallway leading to the locker room. A fan leaned over to approach the Serb and a water bottle accidentally fell from his backpack onto Djokovic’s head.

“While leaving Center Court at the end of his match, Novak Djokovic was accidentally hit in the head with a water bottle while signing autographs for spectators. He was provided with appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel, his condition is not a cause for concern,” noted a statement from the organization shortly after.

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

“Thank you all for the messages of concern,” he wrote on X, the old Twitter. “It was an accident and I’m fine, resting in the hotel with an ice pack. See you on Sunday”.

Djokovic appeared with a big smile to interact with fans, again this Saturday. The top seed will play No. 29 Alejandro Tabilo. It will be the first duel recorded by the Lexus ATP Head2Head between the two.