On the first day of the Australian Open, a ball kid collapsed, causing a temporary pause in play as both players, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zeynep Sonmez, rushed to assist while medical help was called to the scene.
The incident took place during the match between No. 11 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zeynep Sonmez. At that moment, Alexandrova was making a comeback after being a set and a break down. Sonmez had been on track for a surprising victory, but Alexandrova managed to break serve twice, giving herself a chance to serve out the second set at 5-3.
Suddenly, the ball kid fell at the side of the 1573 Arena court, prompting both players and court attendants to respond quickly. The umpire halted play and called for medical assistance, informing the audience of the suspension.
Commentator Catherine Whitaker reported that the match would be paused until help arrived, emphasizing the importance of the ball kid’s well-being. Fans praised Sonmez for her compassionate reaction, with one fan describing her as a “class act.”
After medical staff helped the ball kid off the court, play resumed, but the interruption seemed to disrupt Alexandrova’s momentum. Despite the setback, Sonmez managed to secure a 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory, much to the delight of her supporters in the arena.
Following the loss, Alexandrova will focus on the women’s doubles, where she will team up with Venus Williams. Meanwhile, the warm weather in Melbourne, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius, posed challenges not only for the ball kid but also for players like Canadian qualifier Liam Draxl, who required medical attention during his men’s singles match.