Novak Djokovic expressed concern after his unexpected third-round defeat at the Rome Open to outsider Alejandro Tabilo on Sunday.
Djokovic, who described the loss as "concerning," had been hit on the head by a bottle two days prior, causing symptoms like nausea and dizziness.
His bid for a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title was cut short by Tabilo, who claimed his first win over a top-10 opponent with a 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Djokovic attributed his subdued performance to the blow he received while interacting with fans after his second-round win. Despite initially downplaying the incident, wearing a cycling crash helmet to training the next day, Djokovic admitted to feeling different during his practice sessions. He expressed concern over his performance, noting a lack of coordination and balance compared to his previous matches.
Acknowledging his symptoms, Djokovic revealed his intention to undergo scans before the French Open, citing headaches and dizziness experienced after the bottle incident. He described his condition on the court as that of "a different player," raising further concern about his health and readiness for upcoming tournaments.
Djokovic's early exit from the Rome Open comes as a setback ahead of the French Open, with several top players missing from the tournament, including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Tabilo's victory was commendable, as he dominated Djokovic with impressive winners and minimal unforced errors, securing the biggest win of his career in remarkable fashion.