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Scary Ball-Girl Moment Pauses ATP Match At The Madrid Open
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

An unfortunate incident occurred during the match between Nicolás Jarry and Daniel Altmaier at the Madrid Open. Play was halted at 3-2 in the first set when a spectator alerted Jarry to a ball girl who appeared to be struggling under the intense Madrid sun. Jarry quickly responded, speaking directly to the ball girl and notifying the chair umpire of the situation. She was promptly offered a drink to help rehydrate and was then escorted off the court to receive appropriate care.

Ball-kids undergo a lot of physical training before they take to the courts and are also allowed to hydrate during change overs and such instances are rarely seen

The Madrid Open has only just gotten underway, yet the tournament has already been marred by a series of withdrawals, retirements, and on-court drama.

David Goffin was forced to retire mid-match due to intense pain in his ankle during the second set. Despite receiving medical attention from the physio, the pain proved too severe, and Goffin was barely able to walk off the court.

Karolína Muchová also announced her withdrawal from the tournament, sharing the news via her social media accounts. The Czech player cited illness as the reason behind her unfortunate exit, disappointing fans who were eager to see her return to competitive action.

Adding to the list of unexpected retirements, Frenchman Corentin Moutet bowed out mid-match following a point penalty. After receiving a warning earlier in the match, Moutet was penalized a point for smashing his racquet, which subsequently resulted in the game being awarded to his opponent. Frustrated, Moutet made the decision to retire from the match immediately afterward.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz officially confirmed his withdrawal after extended consultations with his medical team. The Spaniard revealed that he is dealing with a muscle tear in the adductor region of his right leg. While he remains hopeful of returning in time for Roland Garros, the likelihood of skipping the Rome Masters is increasing — a concerning sign for his clay court season.

Though the tournament is only beginning to pick up pace, these early setbacks have cast a shadow over the Madrid Open. Organizers and fans alike are now hoping for a smoother remainder of the event, free of injuries and disruptions — not only for the players but for everyone involved, including the ball kids.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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