![Djokovic is 'fine' after dramatic Rome Open bottle smash Djokovic is 'fine' after dramatic Rome Open bottle smash](https://www.brutimes.com/cache/Djokovic_1715423712388_1715423712767 (1)_2100_x_1470.webp)
After winning the second round of the Rome Open, Novak Djokovic was hit on the head with a water bottle on Saturday but insisted he was "fine" and ready to play. As he greeted fans on Center Court at the Foro Italico on Friday, world No. 1 Djokovic was left crouched on the ground in agony after a bottle hit him in the back of the head.
In the Italian city, the 36-year-old advanced to the third round by beating France's Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1. As the Serb prepares for the Grand Slam French Open, he will next face Alejandro Table of Chile. With six titles in Rome, only Rafael Nadal has won more than Nadal (10). The 24-time Grand Slam champion was escorted out of the arena on foot and there were fears he could be added to the list of players expected to leave the competition.
In a brief statement later, tournament administrators said Djokovic's "condition is not a cause for concern" and attached a video demonstrating how the bottle accidentally slipped from a spectator's hand. The final major event before the French Open, which would have suffered greatly in Djokovic's absence without world number two Jannik Sinner from Italy and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.
In addition, the home crowd will not be able to support past Wimbledon finalists Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Berrettini as Musetti withdrew on Friday morning following a fall with France's Terence Atman. On Saturday, seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz and Djokovic's legendary clay nemesis Rafael Nadal will play a rematch as Nadal continues his recovery. After a string of injuries over the previous two years that saw him ranked 305th in the world, Rafael Nadal declared. that he would only compete at the French Open, where he has won 14 times, if he feels competitive.
Women's world number one Iga Swiatek, third seed Daniil Medvedev and the Spaniard are among the many personalities who will take to the court under the sweltering Roman heat on Saturday. Three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, who won the Madrid Open last weekend, will face unranked Yulia Putintseva.