An unusual incident interrupted the 1/8 final match at the Australian Open between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. During the fourth set, a powerful serve from Sinner caused a surprising equipment malfunction, forcing both players to leave the court temporarily.
What Happened?
At the start of the second game in the fourth set, Sinner, who was leading 2:1 in sets, delivered a thunderous serve clocked at 199 km/h. The ball struck the center of the net, breaking the anchor pin securing the net tape. This damage made it impossible to continue the match immediately.
Commentators on Eurosport quickly noted the unusual nature of the delay:
“We’ll need to fix the tape. It looks like this break could take some time.”
Players Return After 20-Minute Break
A camera positioned on the net revealed the full extent of the issue. The force of Sinner’s serve had pulled out the component holding the net in place. Organizers determined that repairs would take a while, prompting them to send both players back to the locker rooms.
The match, held on the Rod Laver Arena, the largest venue in Melbourne, resumed after approximately 20 minutes. Despite this interruption, fans remained engaged, as the high-stakes quarterfinal spot was on the line.
Medical Breaks Add to the Drama
This wasn’t the first pause in the match. Earlier, both Sinner and Rune had taken medical timeouts, adding to the stop-start nature of this intense encounter.
A Rare Occurrence in Tennis
Such technical disruptions are rare in professional tennis, especially on one of the sport’s grandest stages. However, it’s a testament to the immense power modern players bring to the game. Jannik Sinner’s serve, while disruptive, highlighted just how much force top players can generate.
The Match Resumes
After the net was repaired, play resumed, and the focus returned to the thrilling competition on court. Fans were left with a story to tell, as this unexpected delay added a unique twist to an already dramatic match at the Australian Open.
