Novak Djokovic reckoned that the bottle incident might have played a role in his shock exit from the Italian Open 2024. On Sunday, May 12, the 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to World No.32 Alejandro Tabilo 2-6, 3-6 and crashed out of the clay-court tournament. It took Tabilo only 67 minutes to get the better of the 36-year-old Djokovic.
A day before the match, Djokovic copped a blow on his head after a bottle fell off a fan’s backpack. The veteran felt the impact right away and had his hands on his head. Later, he comically came to the park in Rome wearing a helmet.
‘It was quite bad’
Djokovic admitted that he was far from his best against Tabilo. He also said that he needs to undergo medical checkups to determine the extent of his injury.
“Completely different player from what it was two nights ago. Could be. I don't know. I have to do medical checkups and see what's going on,” Djokovic added.
“Completely different player from what it was two nights ago. Could be. I don't know. I have to do medical checkups and see what's going on,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic recently pulled out of the Madrid Open and he did not have the best of times in Rome as well. Expectations will be high from Djokovic in the upcoming French Open as he is the defending champion at Roland Garros.
Source: India Today