Saturday night turned into an eventful time at the Australian Open when Nigel Sears, Ana Ivanovic’s coach, collapsed and lost consciousness as he was trying to leave the player’s box.
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Ana Ivanovic’s coach and Andy Murray’s father-in-law – collapsed in the stands at the Australian Open on Saturday and was taken to the hospital injured but conscious.
Tournament organisers said Sears was “breathing, conscious and talking” and being examined by a cardiologist at a nearby hospital after being carried out of the showcourt on a stretcher. His brother, Jamie Murray, was keeping track of Sears’ health, British media reported.
Sears’ daughter Kim is not in Melbourne in support of her husband Murray as she awaits the birth of their first child in a few weeks.
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“It was tricky. I didn’t feel I was in a great rhythm and wasn’t hitting the ball cleanly at the start”.
Murray admitted he felt drained during the match on Monday, which he won 6-4 6-4 7-6 to set up a last eight encounter with David Ferrer. “At the beginning I think he was extremely aggressive, very intense”, said Murray.
Bernard Tomic’s first-round match was also delayed for more than 20 minutes while a woman received medical treatment in the crowd at Hisense Arena.
There was nothing said about Sears by any of the players, except for Sousa, who commented on the incident that occurred while he was playing his son-in-law.
Keys needed medical attention on her upper left leg while up a set against Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, and limped through the end of a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeat. Tomic will enjoy a huge reception, egging him on at the Rod Laver arena.
Sears was undergoing tests, but in good enough shape to ask for a TV so he could watch Ivanovic’s three-set loss to Keys.
The four-time finalist was back on the practice courts on Monday as Sears was given the all-clear, and preparing for his night match on Rod Laver Arena against Australian Bernard Tomic. “Like I mentioned before, I want to be there four, five, six years, inside the top 10, top five”.
“I just heard that Andy went direct to hospital”. Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka takes on Barbora Strycova in the following match, with French Open champion Stan Wawrinka set to play Canadian Milos Raonic in the final match of the afternoon.
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Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai has advanced to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park after beating a limping Madison Keys 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Tonight was a task and I had to play a player that’s been there for many years.
