Djokovic says he's 'fine' after being hit on the head by a water bottle

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning a match against France's Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

ROME – Novak Djokovic said he was ā€œfineā€ after accidentally getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.

A man was leaning over the railing to hand Djokovic a notebook for a signature and an aluminum-type water bottle fell out of his backpack and hit the top-ranked player on the top of his head.

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ā€œThank you for the messages of concern. This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack,ā€ Djokovic posted on X. ā€œSee you all on Sunday.ā€

After getting hit, Djokovic placed both of his hands on his head and then curled up on the ground as a security guard shielded him. Then he was helped down the tunnel into the locker room.

Djokovic had a bump on his head and he was checked by doctors, tournament organizers said. He did not hold his usual post-match news conference.

ā€œWhile leaving center court after his match, Novak Djokovic was hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs. He received medical attention and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel. His condition is not a cause for concern,ā€ organizers said in a statement.

Djokovic had a bit of blood on his head but did not require stitches, Italian Tennis Federation spokesman Alessandro Catapano said.

ā€œHe was upset, but he seems OK,ā€ Catapano said. ā€œWe’re also very upset about what happened and we are trying to figure out who it was and understand the dynamics.

ā€œThe police came and asked for information but the person who did it had already left,ā€ Catapano added. ā€œWe’re going through all of the video and camera angles to see if we can determine what exactly happened.ā€

The incident occurred shortly after Djokovic's 6-3, 6-1 win over French qualifier Corentin Moutet in his opening match. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was returning after nearly a month off.

Djokovic has a day off before his next scheduled match at the clay-court tournament on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Serb is preparing to defend his title at the French Open, which starts May 26.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis


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