Wimbledon Centre Court match halted for medical emergency as BBC make announcement | Tennis | Sport

The first match of the day on Wimbledon’s Centre Court was halted in the first set due to a medical emergency in the stands. Former finalist Jasmine Paolini was facing Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala for a place in the quarter-finals. Paolini was broken when serving for the set at 5-3, and headed to the changeover with a smaller 5-4 lead.

Both players had just gotten back up off their benches and returned to the court when someone in the stands became unwell and play had to be paused. Paolini and Eala both retreated to their benches again, while BBC commentators confirmed the medical issue.

“I think we’re just going to have a delay in play here. Looks like somebody is unwell in the sunny patch of the stands,” Naomi Cavaday told viewers on BBC One. “There’s just a couple of umbrellas going up. It does look like somebody needs some medical assistance over there, so players will just keep themselves loose.

“Look, it’s the warmest day that we’ve had of the tournament so far. Temperatures have been climbing through the weekend. We will get up and above 30 degrees here, so slightly difficult for some of the spectators, I’m sure. It’s going to be a factor for the players as well, nothing that they haven’t managed before.

“Definitely, if you are sat in the beating sun, it’s not easy. Going to try and get this person out of the ground so they can get the attention that they need in a cooler, shaded area. Hopefully in some air conditioning. Fingers crossed they feel much better a little later on.”

Paolini also stepped in and asked the umpire if they could bring an ice towel to the man in question. Cameras then cut away to an outside view of Centre Court, and Cavaday soon confirmed that the spectator had been able to leave the stands. “They are just making their way out now,” she said.

“So that will be much better for that gentleman. He’ll be able to get some proper medical assistance, and fingers crossed, he will be feeling much better soon enough. So, not too long of a delay, getting back to the match. But key moments here, Eala serving to stay in the first set.”

When play resumed, Paolini was able to break the Eala serve to take the first set 6-4 as the 20-year-old sent the ball well wide while facing a set point. The No. 13 seed finished runner-up here two years ago, but has not even reached a Grand Slam quarter-final since then.

It’s been a tough season for the Italian, who has struggled with a foot injury and loss of form, falling out of the top 10. Paolini even had to forego playing doubles here with her partner, Sara Errani, so as not to overload her foot. And that decision seems to be paying off in singles.