Novak Djokovic Tested for Concussion After Being Struck by Fan’s Metal Water Bottle
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 15, 2024
Tullio Puglia/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic reportedly underwent tests to determine if he suffered a concussion or any other issues after he was hit in the head by a fan’s metal water bottle as he was leaving the court following his second-round win over Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open.
Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic reported Wednesday that Djokovic, who fell to the ground after he was struck on the head, underwent concussion tests. One of the assessments was electroencephalogram (EEG) testing, which determines whether brain functions were impacted by trauma to the head.
He is awaiting the results.
The entire incident was accidental, as he was signing autographs following his second-round win when the water bottle fell from a fan’s backpack and struck him on the head:
He even made light of the situation when he next arrived at the facilities:
Novak Djokovic @DjokerNoleToday I came prepared. #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/b4tRYhZ8d7
Eccleshare noted that while Djokovic was cleared to play, he said the incident resulted in “half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things. I managed to sleep OK. I had headaches.”
Even though he was cleared to play, he didn’t look like himself during his third-round loss to No. 29 Alejandro Tabilo. He lost in straight sets, 2-6, 3-6, and double-faulted five times, including on Tabilo’s match point.
“The way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes,” Djokovic told reporters after the loss. “Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s a bit concerning.”
It was his earliest loss at the Italian Open in his career, as he never previously failed to qualify for at least the quarterfinals.
All eyes will eventually turn to the French Open later this month, and Djokovic surely hopes he is 100 percent by then after his early exit following the water-bottle incident.
