Jack Draper match halted by medical emergency at Queen’s as BBC cameras cut away | Tennis | Sport
Jack Draper‘s match against Jenson Brooksby at Queen’s Club was briefly interrupted due to a fan becoming unwell in the stands. The incident took place in the second set with the young Brit three games up against his American opponent. Draper had breezed through the opening set and was on course for a straightforward victory when the match was stopped.
Brooksby was preparing to serve when a fan in the crowd was heard whistling and shouting: ‘Stop’. The two players were initially confused before it transpired that a spectator needed medical attention. It was a particularly warm day at Queen’s Club, with temperatures hitting around 27 degrees in the beaming sun.
BBC commentator Andrew Castle said: “I think there might be an incident in the crowd, actually. We might just have to wait. It’s very warm here. It does seem to happen every year.
“We do encourage people to drink as much water as possible because it’s very, very warm out there. An umbrella is being put up for somebody and a lot of stewards are coming in.”
The BBC cameras were forced to cut away from the spectator in question as Draper and Brooksby patiently waited for the situation to be resolved.
Castle continued: “They do get the messages out, they are constantly stressing with announcements to say: ‘Drink as much water as you can’. The sun has disappeared for a moment but it is very, very warm. So we shall wait.
“All sorts of instructions are being passed on. Somebody is receiving treatment in one of the big stands at the Andy Murray Arena. Treatment is being administered, so people are milling around.”
The match was able to resume after a few minutes, with the BBC providing updates from other courts during the stoppage.
It comes a week after Emma Navarro’s match against Beatriz Haddad Maia was briefly suspended due to a fan being taken unwell. The two players were unable to return to the court to continue a tiebreaker, being told to wait while medics tended to a spectator.
Annabel Croft, on commentary duties, noted: “Fortunately, the other people and fans around her were able to sort of put her into a recovery position straight away.
“The two players were out of their benches ready to play and they were quickly told by the umpire that they’d have to sit down and wait until this more important situation is resolved.
“It’s difficult for both players to be honest with you. You’ve built up momentum in the match, it’s very tense, there’s so much going on in this contest at the moment. It’s nip and tuck all the way.”
