Novak Djokovic drops ‘regarding’ straight-sets loss 2 days after water bottle affect left him with ‘nausea, dizziness’

Two days after a water bottle was dropped on his head, Novak Djokovic suffered a straight-sets loss on the Italian Open and stated afterward that he appears like a “completely different participant.”

World No. 29 Alejandro Tabilo cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Djokovic on Sunday, sending the No. 1 participant on this planet to an early exit within the Spherical of 32 and gorgeous the Rome crowd.

After the loss, Djokovic instructed reporters that he was nonetheless feeling the results of the water bottle affect that he stated triggered “nausea, dizziness and blood” in its rapid aftermath.

“It was sudden, clearly,” Djokovic stated Sunday. “I wasn’t even wanting up. Then I felt a really robust hit within the head. That has actually impacted me quite a bit. …

“I have been by way of half an hour, hour of nausea, dizziness and blood and quite a lot of various things. I managed to sleep OK. I had complications. The following day — or yesterday — was fairly high-quality. So I believed, you recognize, it is OK.”

He went on to explain his situation as “regarding” and stated that he felt like a special participant on the court docket Sunday afternoon.

“Perhaps it’s OK,” Djokovic continued. “Perhaps it isn’t. The best way I felt on the court docket immediately was simply fully from — it is like a special participant entered in my footwear. No rhythm, no tempo, no stability in any way on any shot. So, it’s kind of regarding.”

Water bottle fell straight on Djokovic’s head

The water bottle incident occurred Friday as Djokovic left the court docket following his 6-3, 6-1 win over Corentin Moutet. He stopped by the tunnel to signal autographs for followers, and a water bottle fell from the stands onto the highest of his head.

One other angle confirmed the bottle slip out of a fan’s backpack as he leaned over in quest of Djokovic’s consideration.

Djokovic grabbed his head, then knelt right down to the court docket after the affect. He was then helped by way of the tunnel and again to the locker room. He later tweeted that he was “high-quality” and resting with an ice pack at his resort.

On Saturday, he confirmed up on his off day to the event in good spirits, jokingly carrying a motorbike helmet whereas greeting followers and signing autographs.

His degree of concern took on a special tone following Sunday’s loss. He’ll now have two weeks off earlier than the Could 26 begin of the French Open important draw in quest of his twenty fifth Grand Slam title.