Australian Open ball kid collapses in middle of match in concerning scenes

Play was halted at the Australian Open on Sunday when players were alerted to a situation with an unwell ball kid, who was later confirmed to have collapsed due to extreme heat

A ball kid appeared collapsed during play at the Australian Open on Sunday in the searing heat on Margaret Court Arena.

Tim Puetz and Demi Schuurs were playing JP Smith and Kimberly Birrell in the mixed doubles when spectators in the crowd tried to draw attention to the child, who looked unwell.

After celebrating a point, Puetz and Schuurs recognised that something was wrong with the child, who was near the baseline. After rushing over, the child appeared to faint in Puetz’s arms.

The match umpire also rushed over before medical personnel were called to tend to the youngster on the hottest day of the tournament so far.

Chris Bradnam addressed the scenes on commentary, saying: “There clearly was a little bit of distress. It’s been a scorcher of a day, over 30 degrees celcius. Need an ice pack and some fluid pretty quickly.”

Former British No.1 Anne Keothavong added: “Not what you want to see but everyone doing their best to help. Help is on the way. Not easy out there for anyone.”

Towels were held up to try and provide the youngster with some privacy after medics arrived on the scene. Eurosport would then divert their coverage away from the court, with pundits later confirming the child fainted due to the extreme heat and left the arena in a wheelchair.

Rachel Stringer said: “We just saw a ball kid has fainted due to the extreme heat today. It’s hot out there. The conditions are testing not just for the players but for everybody involved in making this tournament a success. You can see them being wheeled off the court.

“We’re hoping they make a speedy recovery and it’s not too serious. Our thoughts are with that kid there.”

John McEnroe also chimed in to explain just how hot it was in Melbourne on the day in question adding: “Conditions are pretty brutal. It’s currently about 32 celsius. Even toastier when you’re on a hardcourt surface, the cement surface.

“Needless to say it’s important to get a quick start. I think that’s why you saw Draper stop playing, the heat got to him, you saw he had other injuries from the three five-setters.

“Davidovich Fokina did the same thing. You just don’t have the same will. I’m sitting here thinking I’m going to faint like that poor ball kid.”