Leaving the court, the Serb, winner of the Frenchman Corentin Moutet (6-3, 6-1), was signing autographs to spectators located in the stands above him when he received a water bottle on the head.
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World number 1, Novak Djokovic, was knocked out by a water bottle after his victorious entry into the Masters 1000 in Rome, Friday May 10. Winner without trembling over Frenchman Corentin Moutet (6-3, 6-1), the Serbian received the projectile – which fell involuntarily from a spectator’s bag – in the head on the way to the locker room, as shown in a video broadcast by the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Novak Djokovic collapsed on the ground and, joined by someone from his entourage, remained prostrate for several minutes before heading back to the locker room. The post-match press conference was subsequently canceled. Slightly injured in the head, the world number 1 was treated at the medical center. He complained of slight nausea, but his state of health does not give rise to concerns, announced the Italian agency Ansa.
Winner of the Rome tournament six times in the past, the Serbian is making his return to competition since his elimination in the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo against the Norwegian Casper Ruud. Novak Djokovic’s start to the season is far from his usual standards, as he has only played four tournaments and won none of them.
