Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s championship match at the ATP Finals was halted after just 16 minutes following a “disturbance” in the crowd, related to what was believed to be a medical emergency. Defending champion Sinner was waiting to serve when Alcaraz heard a commotion in the stands and pointed it out to the umpire, who called for medics.
Sinner was under some pressure, serving at deuce in the fourth game, when the world No. 1 stepped in as some fans started to call out and catch the attention of officials. “Can I get medical staff up there please?” chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein asked.
Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend could see something happening at the top of the arena from his position in the box. “A disturbance in the top tier, to our right. A good amount of concern as we peer up there. It’s the very, very corner of the top tier. We will have a break in play while officials deal with this. If it’s a medical emergency then all the time that is required will be given,” he told viewers.
Laura Robson was sitting courtside and credited Alcaraz for stepping in as paramedics took to the stands. “Difficult scenes again, it feels like it’s happened all too often this week in the stadium,” she said.
“But actually, Alcaraz was pretty much one of the first people to hear the signs of distress from the top tier and was pretty quick to stop play and Sinner was ready to serve. Since then, I can see paramedics up there, so good news is they got there very quickly, and hopefully the person is going to be okay.”