Russian tennis star Karen Khachanov, currently ranked 15th in the world, has provided a detailed account of a concerning incident that occurred during his second-round match against Alexander Shevchenko at the Rome Masters. The disruption was caused when a ball girl suddenly collapsed on court due to poor health.
Khachanov explained that the event unfolded at a critical moment near the end of the first set. He initially thought the girl had simply slipped on the clay surface. However, after she fell a second time and appeared unresponsive, he immediately called for assistance. The player, his opponent Shevchenko, other ball kids, and the chair umpire all rushed to help while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.
The wait for the tournament doctor was notably prolonged, a point Khachanov highlighted in his comments. He expressed surprise at the situation, given the moderate weather conditions in Rome. He recalled that such incidents are more commonly associated with extreme heat, like the 40-degree Celsius temperatures sometimes seen at the Australian Open, which can lead to dehydration and fainting among players, officials, and spectators.
Speculating on the cause, Khachanov suggested it could have been related to personal circumstances or a hormonal issue, though he stressed he could not know for sure. His primary concern was for the well-being of the young staff member, hoping she would be okay.
Regarding prevention, Khachanov noted that ball kid training and preparation are generally thorough at major tournaments. He mentioned that in France, for example, they begin their warm-up routines in the morning. He believes the team in Rome was also well-prepared and experienced, making this an unusual and non-standard situation that required immediate medical intervention.
The incident serves as a reminder of the physical demands placed not only on athletes but also on the support staff who work long hours in often challenging conditions during professional tennis tournaments.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.