Novak Djokovic jokingly wore a helmet to the Foro Italico on Saturday to make light of a scary incident that occurred following his second-round match at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia Friday.
The six-time Rome champion returned to the venue Saturday for practice and showed his comedic side when he approached fans to sign autographs with a helmet on. "Today I came prepared," he wrote on social media.
Today I came prepared. #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/b4tRYhZ8d7
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 11, 2024
After the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Corentin Moutet on Friday, he was signing autographs for fans in the walkway that leads players off the court. A fan leaned over and a water bottle accidentally fell out of their bookbag and struck Djokovic in the head.
"Novak Djokovic on leaving the Central court at the end of his match was accidentally hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs to spectators. He underwent appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel; his condition is not a cause for concern," tournament organisers said in a statement shortly thereafter.
The 36-year-old reassured his fans from his hotel room.
"Thank you for the messages of concern," Djokovic wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday."
Djokovic had a big smile on his face as he interacted with the fans Saturday. The top seed will next play 29th seed Alejandro Tabilo. It will be the pair's first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
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