Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo has triggered a sensation by trouncing world No.1 Novak Djokovic within the third spherical of the Italian Open in simply 67 minutes — simply two days after the Serbian was by accident hit on the top by a fan’s water bottle.
Djokovic appeared removed from his greatest within the “concerning” defeat on Sunday and blamed Friday’s incident for his 6-2 6-3 loss.
“That has really impacted me a lot. After that, I got medical care, been through half-an-hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness and blood,” Djokovic informed a news convention, including that he would go for scans later.
“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.
“The manner I felt on the courtroom in the present day was simply fully like a unique participant entered into my footwear. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no stability in any way on any shot. It’s a bit regarding.”
The accident happened when a fan’s water bottle fell out of his backpack while he was leaning over railings to get an autograph following Djokovic’s second-round win.
Djokovic has won the tournament six times, with his last title coming in 2022, but he was clearly far from his normal self as Tabilo broke the top seed four times on Centre Court while not conceding a single break point.
The victory made the 26-year-old Tabilo — who won a Challenger Tour tournament two weeks ago — the first Chilean in 17 years to beat a world No.1 since Fernando Gonzalez beat Roger Federer at the ATP Finals in 2007.
“It’s unbelievable. I got here on courtroom simply wanting round and soaking all of it in, attempting to course of all the pieces. I’m attempting to get up proper now,” said Tabilo, the world No.32.
The result also means Djokovic — who made a double fault on match point — has failed to reach a single final in 2024 and has played only six matches on clay in the build-up to the French Open.
The Serbian had reached the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters but a premature exit in Rome could hamper his preparations for Roland Garros where the year’s second grand slam begins on May 26.
When asked about his French Open chances, Djokovic said: “Everything must be higher for me to have not less than an opportunity to win it.”
Djokovic followed Rafael Nadal to an early exit after the record 10-time Rome champion lost his third-round match to Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 on Saturday.
It left the Spaniard admitting he was in two minds even whether or not to compete on the French Open.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
