Rome, Italy—Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 tennis player, made a lighthearted and safety-conscious move during his return to practice at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. After an unexpected incident where he was hit by a falling water bottle while signing autographs for fans following his opening-round victory over Corentin Moutet, Djokovic decided to take precautions.
The Helmet Incident
Late on Friday evening, Djokovic was signing autographs after his comfortable 6-3, 6-1 victory against lucky loser Moutet when he was unexpectedly struck in the head by a water bottle. The impact led him to clutch his head and fall to his knees. Fortunately, the tournament organizers confirmed that he had incurred no serious injuries, and Djokovic himself reassured fans via social media that he was okay and resting with an ice pack.
Safety First
In a playful twist, Djokovic arrived at the Foro Italico for practice wearing a bike helmet on top of his cap. The helmet served as a protective measure while he interacted with fans, signing autographs with a smile. The image of the world No. 1, sporting a cycling helmet, amused both fans and Djokovic himself. His jocular approach to the situation garnered laughter from the crowd, who appreciated his ability to find humor even after the water bottle mishap.
GOAT Novak Djokovic who arrives at Rome’s Foro Italico with a helmet on his head after accidentally receiving a water bottle yesterday 😭
At least we are sure he’s okay.pic.twitter.com/d1CjCtGEQg
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) May 11, 2024
What’s Next?
As Djokovic prepares for his next match—a scheduled third-round encounter with No. 29 seed Alejandro Tabilo—fans are left wondering whether he’ll continue to wear the helmet on court. Regardless, his light-hearted response to the incident showcases his resilience and ability to turn adversity into a moment of levity. Djokovic’s commitment to safety and his playful spirit make him not only a tennis champion but also a fan favorite.
So, the next time you see Djokovic signing autographs, don’t be surprised if he’s wearing that trusty bike helmet—it’s all part of his winning strategy, both on and off the court!
Djokovic in Rome, ranking, and results in 2024
WLWWLWLWWW Currently ranked no.1, Novak achieved a composed 12-4 win-loss record in 2024. Djokovic is playing at the moment in Rome where he toppled the world no.83 Corentin Moutet 6-3 6-1.
Novak Djokovic will face the world no.32 Alejandro Tabilo in the 3rd round. They have never competed against each other so far in top tournaments.
Djokovic won 98 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic will play next at the French Open (French Open). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of May.
