Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Rome Open in a shocking third-round defeat by Alejandro Tabilo. Djokovic attributed his lackluster performance to being hit on the head by a bottle two days prior, causing nausea and dizziness. He acknowledged that he didn’t feel the same on the court and was concerned about his form heading into the French Open in Paris. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, expressed the need for improvement if he wants to have a chance at winning a 25th Grand Slam title.
The early elimination of Djokovic left the men’s tournament wide open, with other top players like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Rafael Nadal also absent. Tabilo, ranked 32nd in the world, defeated Djokovic decisively, showing strong form and confidence against his more illustrious opponent. The defeat was a blow for Djokovic as he prepares for the upcoming French Open, where he is the defending champion. The Serbian tennis star admitted that he felt like a different player on the court during the match against Tabilo, highlighting the impact of the bottle incident on his performance.
In the women’s tournament, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 with a straight-sets victory over Dayana Yastremska. Sabalenka, who has never won in Rome but has been successful on the Madrid clay, looks poised to make a strong run in the tournament. Maria Sakkari, the fifth seed, also secured a win, setting up a potential match against Victoria Azarenka in the next round. Sabalenka expressed her determination to perform well in Rome, considering it a dream tournament for her to win.
Despite the disappointment of his early exit in Rome, Djokovic remains focused on regaining his form and readiness for the upcoming French Open. The Serbian star plans to undergo scans to assess the after-effects of the head injury and work on improving his game in preparation for the next major tournament. With other top players facing uncertainties and challenges, Djokovic recognizes the importance of sharpening his skills and mental focus to have a chance at contending for another Grand Slam title. The unexpected defeat in Rome serves as a wake-up call for Djokovic as he looks ahead to the challenges of the clay-court season.
