A ball kid’s illness caused a delay in a match at the Australian Open between Greek player Stefano Tsitsipas and Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki. Mochizuki took the first set 6-4, but Tsitsipas fought back to win the second set 6-3. However, play was interrupted when a ball kid fell ill at the start of the third set, leading to a brief stoppage for medical attention.
The match resumed after a short delay once the affected ball kid was assisted by medical staff. This incident occurred shortly after another match involving Naomi Osaka was suspended at the Rod Laver Arena. Commentators from TNT Sports expressed initial confusion about the stoppage but later clarified the situation for viewers.
The court was swiftly cleaned, and play resumed after an eight-minute break, with Tsitsipas ultimately winning the next two sets 6-2 each. This victory set up a second-round match for Tsitsipas against Tomas Machac from Czechia. Unfortunately, this was not the first instance of a ball kid falling ill during this year’s tournament.
Earlier in the week, another ball kid fainted during a match between Zeynep Sonmez of Turkiye and Russian player Ekaterina Alexandrova. Sonmez quickly rushed to assist the girl, helping her recover and facilitating a swift return to play after a short delay. Sonmez’s compassionate actions were praised by TNT commentator Catherine Whitaker for her quick response and care for the affected individual.
As the Australian Open continues, incidents like these highlight the importance of prompt medical attention and the supportive actions of individuals like Sonmez in ensuring the well-being of all involved.