Jannik Sinner’s opening match at the Italian Open was halted in the second set on two separate occasions due to medical issues in the stands. The world No. 1 led Sebastian Ofner by a set and a break when the umpire became aware of an issue in the crowd during a changeover at 4-3, and confirmed play would be briefly suspended.
“People are on the way to help,” chair umpire Greg Allensworth told the players, before getting on his chair and making an announcement. “Due to a medical issue in the stands, play will be temporarily stopped until it is clear,” he said.
The umpire was then heard saying that first aid was on the way. “Just a slight issue in the crowd, hopefully all is okay,” commentator Nick Lester told viewers. Tournament director and retired Italian tennis star Paoli Lorenzi was seen watching on courtside as the players and umpire waited for the match to resume.
The delay lasted for around six minutes before play resumed, with Sinner serving at 4-3. The interruption briefly threw him off, and he lost the first point before recovering to extend his lead to 5-3.
“It’s a little bit more challenging for the guy that is serving, a little bit of an interruption,” co-commentator Daniela Hantuchova said. Ofner then held to make it 4-5, forcing Sinner to serve it out.
But there was a second medical emergency in the crowd just as the top seed started the game. Sinner missed his first serve and was about to hit his second when fans in the stands started yelling out and whistling to alert officials to the issue.
The umpire got straight on his walkie-talkie to log the latest incident. “Centre court, centre court, we have another medical emergency, upper stands, left, nearside line, in the corner,” he told officials.
“Another issue in the crowd by the look of it,” Lester said on commentary. “Hopefully people are around the individual and making sure they are okay, because it’s a long way up there. Let’s hope they can get up there quickly.”
Sinner tried to stay loose, chatting to his team and hitting some volleys in their direction, while Often took the opportunity to get some guidance from his own coaches. Allensworth then joined Sinner at the baseline, as they discussed how steep the arena was.
Play was able to resume a few minutes later, and Sinner again dropped the first point of the game. But he won the next four to claim a 6-3 6-4 victory, booking his spot in the third round.