Novak Djokovic, the world number one in men’s tennis, suffered an unexpected defeat at the Italian Open, falling to Alejandro Tabilo in a third-round match that left him grappling with the aftermath of a head injury.
The Serbian superstar encountered a mishap when he was inadvertently struck on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs following his second-round victory over Corentin Moutet on Friday. The repercussions of the incident became apparent during his encounter with Tabilo on Sunday, where Djokovic struggled to find his footing, ultimately succumbing to a 6-2, 6-3 defeat in just 67 minutes.
Reflecting on the impact of the head injury, Djokovic expressed how it significantly affected his physical and mental state. “That has really impacted me a lot. After that, I got medical care, [and went] through half-an-hour [to] an hour of nausea, dizziness, and blood,” he revealed.
Despite initially downplaying the incident with a touch of humor, Djokovic admitted to experiencing headaches and lingering concerns about his condition. “I managed to sleep OK, I had headaches. The next day, or yesterday, was pretty fine, so I thought it’s OK. Maybe it is OK, maybe it’s not,” he remarked.
The repercussions of the head injury were palpable on the court, as Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm, citing a lack of balance and tempo in his game. Tabilo capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a stellar performance marked by four service breaks and an unwavering display of dominance.
For Tabilo, the victory over Djokovic marked a monumental achievement, signifying his first career win against a top-10 ranked opponent. The Chilean player expressed disbelief and elation at the outcome, describing his emotions as he processed the magnitude of his triumph.
In the wake of Djokovic’s early exit from the Italian Open, attention now turns to the upcoming French Open, where the defending champion will seek to reclaim his form on clay. With just six matches played on clay this year, Djokovic faces the challenge of regaining momentum as he sets his sights on Roland Garros, slated to commence on May 26th.