Daniil Medvedev has revealed how he suffered his own shocking head injury following the freak Novak Djokovic incident at the Italian Open.
After defeating Corentin Moutet in his opening match, the Serbian was signing autographs when a water bottle fell from a fan’s bag and miraculously hit him on the head.
The 36-year-old fell to the ground in agony and later received medical care. He returned to the court on Sunday to face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, but was comprehensively beaten 2-6, 3-6.
The World Number One hinted at Friday’s incident possibly having an impact on his subpar performance, and that prompted Medvedev to share his experience with a shocking head injury.
Daniil Medvedev told story of his own head injury at a tournament
The Russian recalled the time he was left stunned after taking a blow to the head during a day off at tennis’ most prestigious tournament.
After the Italian Open’s defending champion commenced his title defence with a victory over Jack Draper, Medvedev explained what happened to him while at Wimbledon.
“The day before was a day off. In Aorangi Park, I don’t think they have it now, but to come in, there is like a cage which you need to step up just a little bit. On the top there is also one thing. I didn’t look carefully, and I hit it,” he told reporters.
“Okay, you hit your head sometimes. Doesn’t matter. Especially when you are tall. So usually when you hit your head, you straightaway put your arm there because you’re in pain. Look at my arm, full of blood. I say, ‘I have to go to hospital,’ stitches, et cetera.
“You always ask yourself after the match, ‘Did I lose yesterday because I hit my head or not?’ That’s a story which no one knew about. It’s not a bad story either, but a story that I remember, yeah.”
How Daniil Medvedev began his Italian Open title defence
The 28-year-old faced a tricky opening round in Rome, but he used his experience and expert court coverage and consistency to repel the Brit’s offence.
Medvedev was able to wear Draper down in the baseline rallies as his opponent committed 30 unforced errors while he registered just 18.
He was broken while serving for the first set at 5-4, but but broke back straightaway and made no mistake when serving for the set at the second attempt.
The World Number four found his best level midway through the second set as he registered 14 successive points on the way to opening up a 5-2 lead. Though Draper gained one of the breaks back, Medvedev closed out a 7-5, 6-4 win in one-hour and 47-minutes.
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