The incident took place on Centre Court at Wimbledon on the first day of the final weekYasmin Syed Senior Tennis Correspondent and Mathew Davies Sport content editor

14:56, 06 Jul 2026

Jasmine Paolini asked the umpire if they could (Image: BBC)

Play was stopped on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Monday afternoon with a member of the crowd taken unwell.

During the first set of the fourth-round match between Jasmine Paolini and Alexandra Eala on Centre, attention was diverted to the stands during a set changeover.

With temperatures soaring in SW19 at the start of the second week of the tournament, play was halted as medical assistance attended to the stricken spectator.

Indeed, it is believed to have been the hottest day of the competition so far, with the BBC reporting that members of the Court Services team raced towards players with bags of ice when the players are changing ends.

On BBC commentary, former British tennis player Naomi Cavaday described the situation playing out in real time.

“I think we’re just going to have a delay in play here,” she said.

“Looks like somebody is unwell in the sunny patch of the stands.

“There’s just a couple of umbrellas going up. It does look like somebody needs some medical assistance over there, so players will just keep themselves loose.

“Look, it’s the warmest day that we’ve had of the tournament so far. Temperatures have been climbing through the weekend.

“We will get up and above 30 degrees here, so slightly difficult for some of the spectators, I’m sure.

“It’s going to be a factor for the players as well, nothing that they haven’t managed before.

“If you are sat in the beating sun, it’s not easy. Going to try and get this person out of the ground so they can get the attention that they need in a cooler, shaded area.

“Hopefully in some air conditioning. Fingers crossed they feel much better a little later on.”

Italian Paolini, who took the first set 6-4, stepped in to ask the umpire if they could bring an ice towel to the man in question.

“So that will be much better for that gentleman,” Cavaday added. “He’ll be able to get some proper medical assistance, and fingers crossed, he will be feeling much better soon enough.”

At the same time on No1 Court, another attendee fell ill and was handed a bottle of water by player Flavio Cobolli.

James Burridge said on the BBC: “It is very hot inside No.1 Court today and there’s a disruption just behind the umpires’ chair.”

Todd Woodbridge explained: “We’ve got a fan who is feeling quite unwell. They’re just going to take a moment to try to get her out of the stadium. She’s up on her feet.”