Djokovic injured by bottle after picking Moutet apart
Novak Djokovic received medical treatment after being struck on the head by a bottle while attempting to sign autographs following his opening win at the Italian Open in Rome.
Djokovic, the top seed, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Corentin Moutet of France. After completing his on-court interview, Djokovic approached fans by the entrance to the court and began signing memorabilia. After
Djokovic signed a cap and ticket, a large metal bottle fell at speed on to Djokovic’s head. The Serb fell to the ground by the stadium entrance, where he remained for around 40 seconds before he was guided away by security guards.
In video footage provided by tournament organisers, the bottle appears to have fallen from the backpack of a fan as he reached down to high-five Djokovic. The 36-year-old received stitches for a cut on his head and he did not speak with the press after his match, but he will not be withdrawing from the tournament. Djokovic faces
Alejandro Tabilo, the 29th seed, in the third round tomorrow.
“Novak Djokovic on leaving the central court at the end of his match was 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,” the management of the Italian Open announced.
Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, will retire at the end of the 2024 season at 31 after struggling to rediscover his old form following a career-altering wrist injury.
“I have to tell you a very important, very sad but also very beautiful message,” said Thiem. “The season 2024 is gonna be my last one. There are some reasons behind it. Firstly, of course, my wrist, it’s not exactly the way it should be and it’s not exactly the way how I want it. And the second reason is my inner feeling. I was thinking about this decision for a very long time. I was thinking very carefully about it.”
Thiem, who rose to a career high ranking of No 3, won his only grand slam title at the US Open in 2020, a tournament played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions, by defeating Alexander Zverev in five sets. Thiem’s pursuit of a grand slam title had been long and hard-fought, with the Austrian reaching two French Open finals, one Australian Open final and winning his only Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2019 before his biggest triumph.