Novak Djokovic expressed deep concern over his unexpected exit from the Rome Open after being defeated by Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. Tabilo's victory, his first against a top-10 opponent, abruptly ended Djokovic's pursuit of a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title.
Djokovic attributed his subdued performance to a blow he received to the head from a water bottle while greeting fans, causing him to experience nausea and dizzy spells.
Despite initially downplaying the incident and wearing a protective helmet during training, Djokovic's performance in the match against Tabilo reflected significant discomfort and lack of coordination. He confessed to feeling like a "completely different player" compared to his previous match.
Djokovic acknowledged that while there was no acute pain, his balance and coordination were severely affected under stress, raising concerns about his condition heading into the French Open.
With the French Open looming in two weeks, Djokovic expressed the need for improvement in his overall form to stand a chance at securing a 25th Grand Slam title. He emphasized the necessity of assessing his condition through scans before the tournament in Paris. Djokovic's unexpected early exit from the Rome Open has intensified the anticipation for Roland Garros, with the field now wide open for contenders.
Tabilo's remarkable performance against Djokovic, marked by his aggressive play and remarkable composure, underscored the unpredictability of elite-level tennis and the rise of emerging talents on the circuit.
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