Carlos Alcaraz stopped his Wimbledon first-round match against Fabio Fognini to assist a fan who required medical assistance.
Defending champion Alcaraz noticed a fan fall ill in the stands on Centre Court midway through the fifth set of his epic clash with Italian Fognini.
A clearly concerned Alcaraz indicated to his opponent and umpire James Keothavong that the match should be paused.
Alcaraz, bidding to win Wimbledon for the third year in a row, ran over to his chair to retrieve an icy water bottler which he gave to a steward to pass on to the supporter.
Experienced umpire Keothavong informed the court that the match would be suspended while stewards and medics assisted the fan.
‘Unfortunately there has been an incident with a spectator,’ Keothavong announced. ‘Health and safety is the priority so we will be pausing the match.’
Alcaraz hovered by the side of the court as medics assisted the fan for around 15 minutes. They were then escorted out of Centre Court on a chair.
There was applause as they were helped away and the players soon resumed a surprisingly thrilling first-round encounter.
Players and spectators had to contend with baking conditions on Monday as Wimbledon recorded its hottest opening day on record.
Air temperature on the grounds reached 32.3C by 4pm, surpassing the previous record at the start of a Championships – the 29.3C set in 2001.
The Wimbledon ‘heat rule’ was not enforced but that could change during the weekend with soaring temperatures also expected tomorrow.
Alcaraz was expected to blow Fognini away but had to dig deep to progress and keep alive his dream of a three-peat at SW19.
Alcaraz taken to five sets – but comes through
Fognini, playing at Wimbledon for the 15th and final time, twice came from behind to force a fifth-set decider but ran out of both energy and ideas in the decider.
Following his 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1 victory, Alcaraz will face Britain’s Oliver Tarvet in the second round on Wednesday.
Tarvet, the world No. 719, secured the biggest win of his fledgling career on the opening day of Wimbledon, beating Leandro Riedi in straight sets.
Following Alcaraz’s stressful opening win, British tennis legend Tim Henman said on BBC Sport: ‘Carlos Alcaraz found a way – there is a huge sigh of relief from him.
‘It will probably be an important day on the practice court tomorrow to iron out a few of those kinks. He really struggled in all aspects of his game.
‘There were so many uncharacteristic unforced errors from the back of the court. But he found a way to get the win and he will be back on Wednesday.’
Alcaraz was the popular pre-tournament favourite but his sluggish opening win could give hope to his rivals, including world number one Jannik Sinner and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Discussing the men’s draw before the tournament, ex-Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘You can’t really expect better form for Carlos Alcaraz to come into Wimbledon, he’s obviously the player to beat.
‘I wouldn’t bet against him winning the title at Wimbledon. Alcaraz is the red-hot favourite, that’s for sure.’
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