Queen’s match halted by emergency as medics rush to Andy Murray Arena | Tennis | Sport
There was a delay during No. 3 seed Emma Navarro’s match against Beatriz Haddad Maia at the Queen’s Club on Wednesday as medics were called to the stands inside Andy Murray Arena. Haddad Maia had taken the first set 6-1 and had a crucial 4-2 lead in the second set tiebreak when the players changed ends.
But they were unable to continue the breaker as usual and had to wait by their benches after a spectator in the stands fainted.
The BBC cut away from a brief break during the changeover just as chair umpire Robert Balmforth could be seen on his walkie-talkie. “It looks like she’s fainted,” he said.
Commentator Sam Smith told viewers: “This does happen from time to time, I think someone has been taken unwell in the North Stand so we will pause for a moment as they change ends in this tiebreak for the first time.
“Haddad Maia leading 4-2, the Brazilian having already had a match point about 20 minutes ago at a set and 5-4.”
The umpire then made an announcement on the centre court, which has been renamed the Andy Murray Arena, confirming play would be halted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, just to let you know we’ve called the medics for this situation. Until it’s resolved we’re not going to result the match,” he said.
Smith continued: “Yes the medics have been called. We wondered what had happened. I can see them on their way now and this does happen, doesn’t it? It’s very warm and humid out here. They’re responding very quickly here.”
As medics made their way to the spectator in question, Annabel Croft replied: “Where the lady is sitting is directly in the sun so 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.
“Difficult for both players to be honest with you because 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.”
Haddad Maia took the opportunity to speak with her team while Navarro waited by the baseline, crouching down on the grass. The supervisor came to the court and the umpire got down off his chair to keep communicating with the players.
The Brazilian joined Navarro back on the court and started stretching, keeping herself warm while the medics tended to the spectator. And there was a round of applause when the woman was helped to the exit.
Navarro was just three points from defeat when the interruption came. But when play finally resumed a few minutes later, she didn’t lose another point. The world No. 10 won five in a row to take the set 7-6(4) and force a decider.
