Fan Accidentally Drops Water Bottle on Novak Djokovic's Head at Italian Open

Patrick Andres | May 10, 2024

Novak Djokovic hits during his match against Aleksandar Vukic at the BNP Paribas Open. / BRANDON MAGPANTAY/ Special to The Desert

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic probably figured the only thing he would get out of the first round of the Round of 64 at the Italian Open Friday was a win over his French opponent, Corentin Moutet.

Instead, Djokovic got a lot more than he bargained for.

First, Moutet's phone rang during the second set—briefly delaying the Serb's 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Then, a fan attempting to get Djokovic's autograph after the match accidentally dropped a water bottle on his head. Video showed the bottle slipping out of a fan's backpack, bonking Djokovic on the head, and sending him crumpling to the ground.

The @InteBNLdItalia team showcases a video showing that the Djokovic case was ‘’an accident’. #Djokovic pic.twitter.com/IX6T4ihEVK

— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) May 10, 2024

Per a spokesperson, Djokovic did not require stitches.

“(Djokovic) was taken to his hotel and he seems OK. He was upset, but he seems OK,” Alessandro Catapano of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation said. “We’re very upset about what happened and we are trying to figure out who it was and understand the dynamics."

Djokovic is seeking his seventh Italian Open title and third in the past five seasons.