Later on, Djokovic addressed the incident on social media, thanking those who offered their support and confirming his intention to continue competing in the tournament.
Novak Djokovic’s opening match at the 2024 Italian Open took an ugly turn. Djokovic exited the court after beating Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1 at Rome’s Forto Italico on Friday, and began signing autographs for fans. As he was making his way down the tunnel after the match, he paused to sign a fan’s hat before continuing.
As he was doing so, a video shared online captured the moment a water bottle was thrown from the nearby stands, striking Djokovic’s head with force. Djokovic immediately held his head and collapsed in agony, remaining on the ground for a few moments before being helped off the court and into the locker room.
Unexpected Attack
Following the impact, the world No. 1 remained curled on the floor for a period before officials guided him indoors. In the background, fans could be heard questioning where the missile came from.
However, an alternate perspective of the incident emerged, revealing a water bottle slipping out of a fan’s backpack as they leaned over for Djokovic’s autograph, inadvertently striking him on the head.
