36-year-old tennis player Novak Djokovic was accidentally knocked on the head by a metal water bottle on 10 May. While he appeared unscathed, what are some potential health concerns from the incident?
Details of the Incident
After a win at the Italian Open on 10 May, Djokovic was signing autographs when an aluminum type bottle fell from the railings and hit the top of his head. Initially speculated to be an attack on Djokovic, tournament organisers later confirmed through video evidence that it was an accident as the bottle fell out of a fan’s backpack.
New angle, all clear now, Novak is fine pic.twitter.com/LWhhpTN0DY
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 10, 2024
Djokovic’s Health After the Accident
On 10 May, tournament organisers said that Djokovic had a bump on his head and he was checked by doctors. His condition is not a cause for concern.
However, on 12 May, Djokovic said the accident really impacted him a lot. He had been through “an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things”. He said, “I had headaches”, “the way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot”. He plans to undergo extra medical tests. Despite the incident, he was able to maintain his sense of humour, wearing a bicycle helmet when he arrived at the venue.
Other Potential Health Concerns
Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury affecting brain function. It is where the brain slides back and forth against the inner walls of the skull.
Adapted from: Concussion – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
Symptoms include headaches, nausea, trouble with concentration, memory loss, as well as balance, mood and sleep issues.
Skull Fracture
A skull fracture is a serious head injury damaging the brain and causing life-threatening complications.
Source: http://radiopaedia.org/images/2087323
Symptoms include nausea, trouble with speech, vision loss, as well as balance and coordination issues.
Intracranial Hematoma
Intracranial Hematoma, also known as brain bleed or hemorrhagic stroke, is a less severe head injury which can cause slow bleeding.
Source: https://www.mynursinghomelawyer.com/bleeding-of-the-brain/what-is-a-brain-bleed-and-what-causes-it/
Symptoms include nausea, headache, neck stiffness, disturbed vision, and a decreased level of consciousness.
Conclusion
The possible injuries Djokovic could have sustained are associated with serious health concerns. Consequently, any injury will affect Djokovic’s ability to maintain a high level of professional competition. Djokovic appears to have been over the worst of the incident, but we will monitor the situation based on his latest testing.
