Play has been suspended on Centre Court at Wimbledon following what was described as a “distressing” incident in the crowd during Taylor Fritz vs Alejandro Davidovich
Taylor Fritz’s third round Wimbledon clash against Alejandro Davidovich has been suspended due a medical emergency in the crowd. The pause in play occurred early in the second set after a spectator became unwell.
At the time, Fritz was leading 6-4, 2-1, 40-40. John McEnroe, providing commentary for the BBC, had a clear view of the situation and reported: “Someone right beside us Simon is in some distress, they’ve stopped the match.”
Fritz quickly responded by bringing a bottle of water to the ailing fan. BBC commentator Simon Reed added: “They are getting the umbrella, it could be heat related. And Fritz has brought water over, recognising what’s needed. The umpire is on the walkie-talkie to make sure there is enough help. Just leaning out of out commentary box.”
After medical personnel attended the scene, McEnroe provided a further update explaining: “She’s conscious, for the elderly, it should be shade only.”
The chair umpire used his phone to speak to Wimbledon officials as the two players waited on the court. Play got back underway after four-and-a-half minutes once the supporter had been taken out of the stadium.
However, in the very same game, play was suspended for a second time after Fritz cut his his elbow open following an acrobatic dive. The American was forced into a medical time-out in order to get the cut, which was dripping blood, cleaned up.
Victory for Fritz, who clinched the second set 6-3, will see him progress to the fourth round of Wimbledon for just the third time in his career. Last year, he equalled his personal best by reaching the quarter-finals, but was knocked out by Lorenzo Musetti.
A lot of top seeds have already been eliminated in this year’s tournament, offering the world No. 5 a golden chance to have a deep run. “I mean, I feel really good about my level,” Fritz said ahead of his third round clash.
“I still have to wait and see who I’m playing. I saw what my first two rounds were looking like when I was still in Eastbourne. Funny story. I didn’t want to look at the draw. Then I got a text from booking, the practice booking, that my coach booked me practice with Reilly.
“So I instantly knew who I was playing like. I knew I could play only one of three people basically. That’s how I found out the draw.
“I didn’t look much further because I knew this was absolutely brutal. I think probably I would say the two unseeded guys that you don’t really want to see. With all the seeds losing, maybe it opens some somewhere the line on my draw. Like I said, I haven’t really looked, but I’m playing good tennis.”