Ball Girl Suffers Distress After Sudden Vomiting Episode

The ongoing tough conditions at the Australian Open have caused yet another incident, this time involving a ball girl who fell ill and vomited on court during a first-round match. This occurred on Tuesday night at the Margaret Court Arena, interrupting play for approximately ten minutes.

Match Background

The match featured Greek athlete Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked 35th in the world, and Japanese player Shinichi Mochizuki, who is ranked 112th. Mochizuki initially captured the first set 6-4, but Tsitsipas responded by claiming the second set 6-3, leveling the match.

Incident Details

The incident unfolded as Mochizuki served in the first game of the third set. Chair umpire Thomas Sweeney paused play, requesting the players to wait. According to sideline commentator Ryan Harrison, the situation quickly became apparent: “A ball girl is getting sick. Yeah, she’s just been sick on the court.”

Footage of the incident was not broadcasted; the audience was focused on Mochizuki’s serve. Both players returned to their seats as staff and officials, including ATP Tour supervisor Gerry Armstrong, rushed to assist the ball girl and clean the court.

Reactions and Aftermath

• The players showed understanding and patience during the delay.
• Commentators noted the challenging conditions faced by ball kids, making the incident all the more understandable.
• After the 10-minute delay, Tsitsipas resumed play and won with a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Post-Match Comments

Following the match, Tsitsipas reflected, saying he focused on staying present and locked into the game. He mentioned that Mochizuki had posed some challenges at the outset but expressed satisfaction with his performance overall.

Other Incidents at the Australian Open

This incident is not isolated, as several ball kids have faced troubling situations during the tournament. Just days prior, another ball girl collapsed due to heat while adjacent to the umpire’s chair, also during a match. Players have likewise contended with the extreme conditions, leading to retirements due to cramping, including seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

As the Australian Open continues, the physical demands on players and ball kids remain significant, highlighting the intensity of the competition amidst difficult weather conditions.