 "Novak Djokovic bowed out of the Italian Open in Rome after losing to Alejandro Tabilo. AP")
Novak Djokovic revealed he hadn’t undergone any scans or tests since his bizarre head injury at the Italian Open in Rome. After bowing out in straight sets against Alejandro Tabilo on Sunday, the Serb suggested he had symptoms similar to that of a concussion.
In his first match since the accident of being struck on the head with a water bottle, Djokovic lost 2-6, 3-6 against the No. 29 seed Tabilo.
“Today under high stress, it was quite bad,” the world No. 1 said in his post-match press conference. “Not in terms of pain, but in terms of this balance. Just no coordination. Completely different player from what it was two nights ago.
“I don’t know. I have to do medical checkups and see what’s going on.”
“It was unexpected obviously,” Djokovic recalled. “I wasn’t even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has, yeah, really impacted me a lot. After that I got the medical care. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things.
“I managed to sleep okay. I had headaches. The next day or yesterday was pretty fine, so I thought it’s okay. Maybe it is okay. Maybe it’s not.”
Six-time champion at Foro Italico, Djokovic had said he was feeling okay after the blow on Friday which left him crouched on the ground for several moments and needing immediate medical attention.
In commentary for the tournament, former player and now commentator Jim Courier said Djokovic was suggesting that he has symptoms of a head concussion.
Djokovic returned to the site on Saturday and tried to make light of the incident, wearing a bicycle helmet atop his cap while signing autographs after a practice session.
The Serb didn’t show any signs of discomfort in practice but said he felt completely different on court against Tabilo.
“I mean, the way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s a bit concerning.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is next scheduled to compete at the French Open, where he is the defending champion, and goes in without a title this year.