Novak Djokovic arrives at the Italian Open wearing a HELMET… as the world No 1 sees the funny side despite being left bloodied after he was struck in the head by a bottle in Rome

Novak Djokovic was pictured wearing a helmet whilst signing autographs at the Italian Open as he took no chances with his safety following an incident on Friday.

The world No 1 comfortably saw off Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1 on Friday as he began his campaign to win the competition for a seventh time.

As he walked off centre court, Djokovic was signing items for spectators when a water bottle fell from the stands and struck him in the head.

The Serbian was left curled on the floor in some distress following the incident, with reports stating that he suffered minor bleeding but that he was able to continue in the tournament.

Despite initial fears surrounding the incident, Djokovic clearly saw the funny side as he returned to the Foro Italico for a training session on Saturday with a new approach to safety.

Novak Djokovic donned a cycling helmet as he signed autographs for fans at the Italian Open

The world No 1 was struck by a water bottle after defeating Corentin Moutet on Friday evening

The 36-year-old donned a cycling helmet as signed autographs for fans, delighting the supporters in attendance.

One fan wrote on social media: ‘Lmaooo some people may not like him but you can’t deny he’s hilarious’ 

Another added: ‘you’re hilarious Novak !!!! Happy to see you smiling and in good spirits’

A further fan wrote: ‘I told myself after the incident “it would be great PR if he comes with a helmet tomorrow”. He can be really loveable at times’

A fourth fan agreed: ‘love the way he deals with situations with a sense of humor. How can we not love this man’

Social media users initially questioned whether the missile had been intentionally thrown at Djokovic on Friday, with the initial clip circulating online making it impossible to see where it had come from. 

However a second angle of the incident shows a water bottle falling out of a fan’s backpack as they lean over for the Serbian star to sign his autograph, before it hits Djokovic on the top of his head. 

The person whose rucksack it falls from appears shocked in the clip, immediately standing upright and moving away from the edge of the tunnel to prevent further mishap. 

Supporters on social media praised Djokovic for handling the situation with humour

The tennis icon is then attended to by a member of staff who had been stood close behind him, and the tournament management later released a statement underlining that the incident was indeed an accident and that Djokovic was recuperating well. 

‘Novak Djokovic on leaving the Central court at the end of his match was accidentally hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs to spectators,’ the statement from Internazionali BNL d’Italia read.

‘He underwent appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel; his condition is not a cause for concern.’ 

Djokovic himself later took to social media to thank well-wishers, and underline that he would still be competing in the tournament. 

‘Thank you for the messages of concern,’ he wrote. ‘This was an accident and I am fine resting at the hotel with an ice pack. See you all on Sunday.’