Novak Djokovic experienced a challenging day at the Italian Open, as Alejandro Tabilo secured a surprising victory over the reigning world No.1. Djokovic expressed disappointment in his performance, suggesting that a recent incident involving a water bottle may have affected his gameplay.
Tabilo achieved a straight-sets win against Djokovic, marking his first ATP Tour victory over the Serbian tennis maestro. This impressive triumph propels the Chilean player to the fourth round of the tournament, a milestone he last attained at Indian Wells in 2023.
In the aftermath of his defeat, Djokovic conceded to experiencing difficulties in finding his rhythm on the court, characterising his performance as “completely off.” This comes as a surprise given his previous successes at the Italian Open, where he has previously clinched the championship title six times.
The 36-year-old also disclosed that he sustained a blow to the head from a falling water bottle as he exited the court following his opening-round match. Djokovic intimated that this incident may have impacted his subsequent performance, leading to feelings of imbalance and poor coordination during the match against Tabilo.
Looking forward, Tabilo is poised to compete against Karen Khachanov in the next round, while Djokovic will await another opportunity to secure his 1100th career match win.
In conclusion, Djokovic’s unexpected defeat at the Italian Open serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional tennis. As he contemplates this loss, the tennis world anxiously anticipates his next appearance on the court.