A dramatic incident unfolded on the first day of the Australian Open when a ball kid collapsed, causing a temporary stoppage in play. The situation occurred during a match between Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zeynep Sonmez, just as Alexandrova was making a comeback after being behind in sets and games. The Russian player managed to break serve twice, putting herself in a position to win the second set at 5-3 before the interruption.
As the ball kid fell at the side of the court, both players, along with court attendants, quickly reacted and medical assistance was called for. The umpire announced the suspension of play for the welfare of the ball kid. Spectators were informed about the temporary halt in the match.
Acknowledgment poured in for Sonmez’s compassionate response to the situation. Fans praised her actions as a “class act” and showed respect for her sportsmanship. The medical staff arrived, assisting the ball kid off the court with applause from the crowd.
The pause seemed to affect Alexandrova’s momentum as she was broken when play resumed. Supporters of Sonmez cheered loudly as she gained the upper hand in the match. Despite a strong start in the deciding set by Alexandrova, Sonmez held her ground and secured a remarkable 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory.
With the challenging weather conditions in Melbourne, Canadian player Liam Draxl also faced difficulties during his match, requiring medical attention. The day’s events highlighted the physical demands of the tournament as players battled on the court.