World No.1 Novak Djokovic was knocked unconscious by a water bottle after his victorious entry into the Masters 1000 in Rome on Friday evening, according to a video broadcast by the Gazzetta dello Sport website.
Leaving the Central, the Serb, winner of the French Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1, was signing autographs to spectators located in the stands above him when he received a water bottle on the head.
He collapsed on the ground and, joined by someone close to him, he remained prostrate for several minutes before heading back to the locker room. Contacted by AFP to find out Djokovic’s state of health, neither the ATP nor the organizers responded.
The ATP said there would be no post-match press conference on Friday evening. The Serbian is making his return to competition in Rome, a tournament he has won six times, since his elimination in the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo. His start to the season was far from his usual standards, as he only played four tournaments and won none.