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MELBOURNE. — Playing tennis carries its risks but at this year’s Australian Open, watching has been even more dangerous after a series of medical emergencies in the opening few days.

Several players were struggling with injury in the build-up to the season’s first Grand Slam, but so far it’s the spectators and ball kids who have had more problems in Melbourne.

Yesterday, Ana Ivanovic was shaken after an elderly fan was badly hurt in a fall on some steps in Rod Laver Arena, in worrying scenes which held up play for 30 minutes.

“I was really shaking, because the sound of the lady falling was really loud. I could hear it,” said the former world number one, who looked on anxiously before the spectator was finally stretchered away. — AFP.