Worrying scenes unfolded at Melbourne Park during the first day of Australian Open qualifying after a ball kid collapsed during a match.
French star Luca van Assche advanced to the second round of qualifying with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Tunisian No 22 seed Moez Echargui on Monday.
Van Assche had taken a 2-1 lead in the second set and had been preparing to serve to his opponent when the ball kid, who was standing behind the baseline, stumbled forward and fell onto the ground behind Echargui.
The Tunisian star turned around and rushed to the aid of the young ball kid while calling for help from the sidelines.
Thankfully, the ball kid was helped back to their feet by Echargui. The ball kid was helped from the court by the umpire and the Tunisian.
The ball kid sat down on the sidelines underneath a parasol, with another Tennis Australia representative seen arriving to check their well-being. It is unclear what caused the incident.
Worrying scenes unfolded at Melbourne Park during the first day of Australian Open qualifying after a ball kid collapsed during Moez Echargui’s (left) defeat by Luca van Assche
Van Assche (pictured), who is ranked No 165 on the ATP Tour, will now advance to the second round to take on Estonia’s Daniil Glinka after beating Echargui
Daily Mail has contacted Tennis Australia for comment.
Temperatures at Melbourne Park had reached a high of 21.9°C on Monday afternoon, as Echargui faced off against Van Assche.
The Tunisian star subsequently went 5-3 down in the set, and fought gallantly, dominating his opponent at the net, but was unable to hold off against his opponent’s power, with Van Assche serving out to love to win the second set 6-4.
Van Assche, who is ranked No 165 on the ATP Tour, will now advance to the second round to take on Estonia’s Daniil Glinka.
The 21-year-old’s last appearance at Melbourne Park came in 2024, where he was knocked out in the third round of the main draw by Brazilian star Joao Fonseca.
The Australian Open main draw is due to get underway next Sunday, with qualifying events running throughout this week.
Bernard Tomic took a step closer to ending his five-year wait to feature at his home slam after he beat Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien in straight sets on Monday.
British star Dan Evans’ attempt to qualify for the men’s singles came to an early end on Monday after he was bested 6-1, 6-2 by Japan’s Rei Sakamoto.
In the women’s event, US star Sloane Stephens advanced to the second round after claiming victory against Barbora Palicova, while Aussie star Olivia Gadecki cruised past No 22 seed Arantxa Rus, 6-2, 6-4.
