Dramatic Pause at Queen’s as Spectator Medical Emergency Halts Draper Match
LONDON, UK – June 17, 2025 – Play at the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships was brought to a sudden halt this afternoon during British No. 1 Jack Draper’s opening round match, as cries of “stop, stop, stop” echoed from the stands and across television coverage. The dramatic pause came as a spectator appeared to suffer a medical emergency in the scorching London heat.
The incident occurred in the fourth game of the second set of Draper’s clash against American Jenson Brooksby on the Andy Murray Arena. With Draper leading 3-6, 3-0, and waiting to receive serve, concerned shouts from the crowd quickly drew the attention of umpire Adel Nour, who immediately suspended play.
Stewards and medical personnel swiftly converged on the section of uncovered stands where the individual was taken ill. Both Draper and Brooksby sought refuge under umbrellas, patiently waiting as the situation unfolded. BBC commentator Andrew Castle acknowledged the gravity of the moment on air, stating, “I think there might be an incident in the crowd, actually. We might just have to wait. It’s very warm here. It does seem to happen every year.”
Temperatures in London had soared to approximately 27 degrees Celsius throughout the day, prompting tournament organizers to issue warnings to attendees to stay hydrated and take precautions against the sun. Messages were broadcast encouraging fans to “drink as much water as possible” and to inform stewards if they felt unwell.
While the exact condition of the spectator remains unconfirmed at this time, the quick response from officials and the brief nature of the delay allowed play to resume shortly after the individual received attention. Draper went on to complete a straight-sets victory, but the unsettling interruption served as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions at outdoor sporting events.
