Ball Girl Collapses During Australian Open Match, Players Provide Immediate Aid
Play came to an abrupt stop during a first-round match at the Australian Open on Sunday. A ball girl collapsed on court amid rising temperatures, prompting quick action from both players.
Incident Halts Play During Second Set
The incident occurred during the second set of the match between Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez and Russian 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. As Alexandrova prepared to serve, the ball girl suddenly fell backward near the umpire's chair.
Sonmez immediately rushed across the court to assist the fallen girl. Alexandrova quickly collected ice packs from a courtside refrigerator. Medical staff attended to the ball girl within moments.
Heat Conditions at Melbourne Park
Temperatures reached 28 degrees Celsius during the match, creating challenging conditions for players and officials alike. Play was suspended for several minutes while medical personnel assessed the situation.
Once the ball girl received proper care and was able to leave the court, the match resumed. The Australian Open frequently experiences extreme heat, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C during the tournament.
Sonmez Secures Career-Defining Victory
After play resumed, Sonmez went on to achieve the biggest win of her career. She defeated the higher-ranked Alexandrova in three sets with a final score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
The 23-year-old Turkish player had previously made headlines at Wimbledon last year. She became the first Turkish player in the Open era to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Looking Ahead in the Tournament
Sonmez will face either American wildcard Elizabeth Mandlik or Hungary's Anna Bondar in her next match. Forecasts predict temperatures could reach at least 36°C later this week at Melbourne Park.
The incident highlights the physical demands placed on everyone involved in professional tennis tournaments, not just the players. Ball boys and girls work long hours in challenging conditions throughout major events.
