Tennis ace Novak Djokovic was left lying on the floor in agony after he was struck in the head by a water bottle.
The Serbian superstar had just breezed past Corentin Moutet with a swift 6-3 6-1 win at the Italian Open when the freak incident occurred.
As Djokovic met fans, signed signatures and took selfies as he left the court, he was suddenly hit in the head.
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The World No. 1 hit the deck, shielding his face with his arms as officials dashed over to help. In video footage from the scene, Djokovic can be seen lying on the floor for around 45 seconds before he was ushered off court by security.
(Image: Martinho/@DelMartin0/Twitter)
Later reports from the Associated Press clarified that the incident was an accident involving an aluminium water bottle tumbling out of a youngster’s bag. Sky Italy also confirmed that medical staff gave Djokovic the once-over in the locker room after the incident, reports the Express.
Italian Open officials later released a statement, which said: “Novak Djokovic has been accidentally hit by a bottle while signing autographs after his 6-3 6-1 win against France’s Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open.
“This is not being treated as a deliberate act, but as an accident. A boy was calling out to get an autograph and the bottle fell out of his bag. Novak has been taken to the medical centre.”
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