After defeating France's Corentin Moutet in the Italian Open's second round on Friday, top seed Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after being hit in the head by a water bottle.
The hard bottle had apparently fallen out of someone's luggage in the crowd, according to the tournament officials.
An aluminium-style water bottle dropped out of the bag of a man who was leaning over the railing to give Djokovic a notebook for a signing, hitting the top-ranked player on the top of his head.
Djokovic went to his knees and gripped his head right away. He was ultimately carried off the court after lying in a crouch on the ground for a few seconds while staff members rushed to help him.
Djokovic informed fans on social media platform X about his well-being shortly after the event. “Thank you for the messages of concern. This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack,” Djokovic posted on X. “See you all on Sunday.”
Before his next scheduled encounter in the clay-court competition on Sunday,
Djokovic has a day off. The 36-year-old Serbian is getting ready for the French Open, which gets underway on May 26.