Novak Djokovic Hit by Fan-Thrown Cap in Beijing Scare

Are you kidding me? We are talking about the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, a world-class venue, and yet spectators are throwing objects at players. During a warm-up session at the China Open, Novak Djokovic was struck in the face by a cap thrown from the stands. The Serbian superstar had stopped to sign autographs when the projectile hit him. This is an absolute embarrassment for tournament security. We need to hold these venues accountable before someone gets seriously hurt.

Fortunately, Djokovic’s team was alert. His hitting partner and team manager, Carlos Gomez-Herrera, intervened immediately, leading to the fan's swift ejection. While Djokovic escaped serious injury, this security breach disrupts a player's mental preparation. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is in Beijing to play tennis, not dodge flying merchandise.

Beijing Security Failure Threatens Djokovic’s Open Campaign

This incident comes at a critical juncture as Djokovic prepares to launch his China Open campaign on the fast Beijing hard courts against Portugal's Nuno Borges. Navigating the early rounds is hard enough without having to worry about physical safety. Djokovic must channel this frustration to maintain his match momentum.

According to the latest ATP rankings, Djokovic sits at World No. 11. To re-establish his dominance, he must block out the noise. As we discussed in our analysis of Djokovic's Beijing opener, his path is loaded with landmines, including a potential clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

Rivalry Matchup & Player Profiles

While Gomez-Herrera stepped in as Djokovic's protector, the two share a unique history that is collaborative rather than competitive. Below is a look at how they stack up.

Djokovic and Gomez-Herrera have a head-to-head record of 0-0. Gomez-Herrera retired in 2022 to join Djokovic's team as a hitting partner and manager, proving that some of the best tennis partnerships are forged off the court.