During the first day of the Australian Open, a ball kid’s sudden collapse led to a temporary halt in play, prompting both players to assist while medical help was summoned. The incident took place in a match between Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zeynep Sonmez, as Alexandrova was staging a comeback. As the Russian player was rallying, the ball kid fell near the court, prompting immediate attention from the players, court staff, and officials.
Amidst the interruption, the match was paused for medical assistance, affecting Alexandrova’s momentum as she was serving. Sonmez received praise for her compassionate reaction from fans, with many commending her sportsmanship. After the ball kid was aided off the court, play resumed, with Sonmez eventually securing a hard-fought victory over Alexandrova in three sets.
In a separate incident, Canadian player Liam Draxl also faced challenges due to the heat during his match, requiring medical attention. The warm weather in Melbourne, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius, posed difficulties for players on the court. Alexandrova will now focus on the women’s doubles competition alongside Venus Williams following her singles defeat.