Novak Djokovic was accidentally hit by a water bottle at the Italian Open

Novak Djokovic was accidentally hit with a water bottle on Friday evening while signing autographs following his Italian Open second-round win over Corentin Moutet.

Djokovic, the world number one, had signed a hat and then a piece of paper as he was heading out when a metal bottle fell on his head.

Djokovic was clearly in a state of extreme distress when he fell to the ground, and remained on the ground for more than 30 seconds before the ground crew escorted him out.

Initially, it was thought that the bottle may have been intentionally thrown, because footage of the incident obscured the source of the bottle.

However, the video shows the bottle sliding out of the spectator’s backpack, as he leans over to try to get the attention of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

New angle, everything is clear now, Novak is fine 👇 pic.twitter.com/LWhhpTN0DY

– Sasha Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 10, 2024

Djokovic’s post-match press conference was cancelled, but the tournament issued a statement saying: “Leaving Center Court at the end of the match, Novak Djokovic was hit on the head with a water bottle while signing autographs for the fans.

“He has undergone appropriate treatment and has already left Foro Italico to return to his hotel; his condition is not cause for concern.”

Djokovic later issued a statement of his own on X. “Thank you for the messages of concern,” he said.

“This was an accident and I’m fine at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday.”

Djokovic has won the Italian Open six times, and this will be his last warm-up event before he attempts to win his first Grand Slam title this year at Roland Garros in Paris.

He is currently scheduled to face Chilean Alejandro Tabello in the third round on Sunday.

(Sylvia Lore/Getty Images)