Novak Djokovic Wears Bicycle Helmet After Water Bottle Falls on His Head

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic arrived at the Foro Italico in Rome on Saturday wearing a bicycle helmet, a day after he was hit on the head by a water bottle thrown from the crowd.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star, took no chances this weekend as he arrived at the Foro Italico in Rome on Saturday wearing a bicycle helmet. The decision to wear protective gear followed a scary scene at the Italian Open just a day earlier, when Djokovic was hit on the head by a water bottle thrown from the crowd.

Djokovic was exiting the clay court after a 6-3, 6-1 win over French qualifier Corentin Moutet when the incident occurred. As he stopped to sign autographs for fans, an aluminum water bottle fell from the crowd above, hitting Djokovic directly on the top of his head.

Djokovic collapsed to the ground and appeared to hold his head for several minutes before eventually exiting the court. Tournament organizers later released a statement saying that Djokovic had received medical attention and had left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel.

"His condition is not a cause for concern," the statement said.

Djokovic released a statement of his own on social media, calling the incident an "accident."

"Thank you for the messages of concern," Djokovic wrote. "This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday."

Tournament organizers later shared a video revealing that a fan leaning over to greet Djokovic was responsible for the incident. Video showed the water bottle falling out of a backpack he was wearing as he leaned over the stands.

Despite the incident, Djokovic, 36, appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived at the sports facility in Rome on Saturday. He won his first match on Friday after taking nearly a month off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

* Djokovic's decision to wear a bicycle helmet is a reminder of the dangers that athletes face from crowd behavior. In recent years, there have been several incidents of fans throwing objects at players, including bottles, coins, and even flares.

* While Djokovic was fortunate to escape serious injury, the incident highlights the need for increased security at sporting events. Tournament organizers and law enforcement must work together to ensure the safety of athletes and fans.

* Djokovic's good humor in the face of adversity is a testament to his character. Despite being hit on the head by a water bottle, he was able to return to the court the next day and win his match.

* Djokovic's victory on Friday is a good sign for his chances at the Italian Open. The tournament is one of the most prestigious clay-court events in the world, and Djokovic is a three-time champion.

* If Djokovic can continue to play well, he will be a strong contender to win the Italian Open and add another trophy to his already impressive resume.