Novak Djokovic’s shock exit from the Italian Open on Sunday could prove to be a decisive moment in the race for the world No 1 spot, as the top-ranked Serb prepares for his French Open title defence with Jannik Sinner poised to leapfrog him.
Two days after accidentally being hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs in Rome, an off-colour Djokovic crashed to his earliest defeat in the tournament he has won six times after a 6-2 6-3 third-round thrashing by Alejandro Tabilo.
Djokovic will remain 1 090 points ahead of Sinner before the year’s second Grand Slam begins on May 26, but the 36-year-old is on shaky ground as he will be defending 2 000 points in Paris and winning the title may not be enough to stay on top.