The Eighth Circle of Rome: A Trophy Ceremony Nose-Dive

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Victoria Chiesa in Media Mumblings // 0 Comments

Novak Djokovic had a perfect Sunday in Rome.

Almost.

The World No. 1 claimed his second consecutive, and fourth overall, title at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 2 seed Roger Federer. The Serb ensured that just one break of serve in each set would do the job as he faced just one break point in the match — winning a staggering 84 percent of points on his first serve and 67 percent of points behind his second delivery.

Everything was going along just fine, that is, until the trophy presentation — in a dimension of sight, of sound, of mind…and of opera.

It was a weird time.

https://twitter.com/runofplay/status/599975274457890816

There was a whole lot of this going on during the trophy presentations today. pic.twitter.com/JM9GmVDCaN

— René Denfeld (@Renestance) May 17, 2015

Jesus, Italy, WE GET IT. You're into opera. You're classier than everywhere else. Change the record/aria/diva.

— Hannah Wilks (@newballsplease) May 17, 2015

(And don’t think it was just reserved for #men, either. Earlier, this happened to Maria Sharapova.)

When you're allergic to the fatal combination of champagne and opera music pic.twitter.com/mgDlrqc3mR

— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) May 17, 2015

While Djokovic might’ve won the title, he most certainly lost this battle against a bottle of Moët & Chandon.

New Moët commercial incoming, you guys. pic.twitter.com/cdFijzHuMB

— René Denfeld (@Renestance) May 17, 2015

Pro tip: do not do this.

(h/t: @illatopositivo)

Naturally, the Internet laughed.

He hit himself in the face with a champagne cork? So, one unforced error to report then.

— Chris P (@scoobstennis) May 17, 2015

Someone should teach Novak how to open bottles of booze in exchange for backhand lessons. Seems fair to me.

— Matt Fitzgerald (@tennisfitz) May 17, 2015

YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT

— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) May 17, 2015

Then it judged.

It is very clear to me that Novak Djokovic has not opened many Champagne bottles in his life. That's not how you do it, dude.

— Svenja Mastroberardi (@svenja_mastro) May 17, 2015

idiot, nobody opens a bottle like that.

— Norbert. (@tejmeglekvar) May 17, 2015

Novak Djokovic. Great at tennis. Not great at opening alcoholic beverages. You have a lot to learn, young jedi.

— René Denfeld (@Renestance) May 17, 2015

Then it got concerned.

Seriously, your best chance ever to win the French Open by far, and you get treated for a trophy presentation injury. You can't make this up

— Jason (@Hurleytennis) May 17, 2015

Djokovic is bleeding! The cork of the champagne bottle hit him while he was opening it….

— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) May 17, 2015

Novak Djokovic just hurt his nose due to a suddenly launched champagne cork hitting him. Lucky it didn't get his eye…

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 17, 2015

Rafa winning the French Open because Novak corked himself in the face with his victory champagne would be so tennis.

— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) May 17, 2015

Yes, that is the cork missing Novak's eye by a few millimeters. Imagine skipping RG because of "Champagne injury". pic.twitter.com/t7b5tLn0fI

— Marco (@Trih_) May 17, 2015

Thankfully, no(se)body got seriously hurt, but that champagne just can’t be tamed.