Wimbledon medical emergency called in Medvedev match as medics rush to scene

Daniil Medvedev vs Jiri Lehecka had to be delayed for over 10 minutes due to a medical emergency as Wimbledon stewards rushed to an elderly lady’s aid in the stands.

During the second set with Medvedev leading 3-1, some fans shouted down to Lehecka to stop play as he was just getting into position to serve. The umpire was then spotted making a call on the phone as the match paused and medics attended the scene in the stands on Court 1.

BBC commentator John Lloyd said: “I think there’s a medical emergency in the crowd behind him. We’ve had a medical timeout on the court. Obviously, something has happened just behind where he (Lehecka) was going to serve from. The stewards are in attendance already. The umpire as you heard has already called for some attention.

“I don’t imagine that somebody could have fainted up there but that’s what we had to deal with on repeated occasions at Queen’s two or three weeks ago when it really was hot but it’s not as hot today.” After a 10-minute delay, the medical team was then seen walking the elderly lady out of the court to a round of applause from the crowd.

It is not yet clear exactly what happened but there were a number of medics with the fan before play eventually restarted 10 minutes later.

Lloyd said on commentary: “I’m delighted to say that the elderly lady who was the centre of that incident I think is just being taken away by one of the exits with the medical team and she was walking fine so I hope that means she’s ok.”

The game then eventually restarted but would only last a few more games as Medvedev took the set 6-2 before Lehecka retired due to an injury.

The Czech Republic star had already called a medical timeout earlier in the match, which was reportedly due to a blister on his toe. And after losing the second set, Lehecka called it a day and retired from the match.

Medvedev, who will now advance to the quarter-finals, said: “Well I honestly didn’t know til he retired I mean I saw that maybe his movement is a little bit restricted but the way that he hits strong the ball, I thought that it’s not gonna cause him enough trouble.

“But then when he retired I was like, ‘Okay, I see it different.’ But yeah, during the match unfortunately you don’t have any other choice than fight for every point take them on. Because how many times – even with me it happened – you think you’re injured then you win one game, one break, you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe I should continue playing.’

“And then you win the match. So you have to fight until the last point. Of course I feel sorry for Jiri because fourth round of Wimbledon to get hurt, it’s not easy. Hopefully he can recover fast and he has a lot of more Grand Slams to come ahead of him.”