British No.1 Jack Draper took on Jenson Brooksby at Queen’s as he got his grass court season up and running but the meeting in London didn’t pass without incident
15:20, 17 Jun 2025Updated 15:23, 17 Jun 2025
Jack Draper’s match against Jenson Brooksby at Queen’s Club was paused(Image: Getty Images)
Jack Draper’s meeting with Jenson Brooksby at Queen’s Club was paused after a spectator appeared to be taken ill in the stands. Crowd members could be heard shouting “stop, stop” before stewards attended to the individual in question.
The delay ended up only being a brief one. While play was paused, both British star Draper and his American opponent Brooksby sat and waited to be allowed to return to action.
“I think there might be an incident in the crowd, actually,” commentator Andrew Castle said during the BBC’s coverage. “We might just have to wait. It’s very warm here. It does seem to happen every year.
“We do encourage people to drink as much water as possible because it’s very, very warm out there. An umbrella is being put up for somebody and a lot of stewards are coming in.”
Temperatures in London approached 27 degrees on Tuesday afternoon as Deaper and his rival stepped out onto the court. It was ultimately plain sailing for the British No.1, who won in straight sets, though commentator and former tennis star Castle didn’t make light of the spectator taken ill during the brutal conditions.
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“They do get the messages out, they are constantly stressing with announcements to say: ‘Drink as much water as you can’,” he added. “The sun has disappeared for a moment but it is very, very warm. So we shall wait.
“All sorts of instructions are being passed on. Somebody is receiving treatment in one of the big stands at the Andy Murray Arena. Treatment is being administered, so people are milling around.”
After play resumed, Draper completed a straight sets win(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Draper’s win allowed him to continue his preparations for Wimbledon, which is just around the corner. He lost to compatriot Cam Norrie last year, and has yet to get beyond the second round in SW19.
“Feels amazing, no place I’d rather be,” he told the BBC after beating Brooksby. “We travel the world playing tennis, never get to come home or spend much time with my family but to be on this court in front of you guys, my people, my family, thank you.
“It’s tricky coming onto the grass after clay, to adapt, I’m hitting the ball a bit late not on time. The more matches and time I have on practice courts I’ll get better and better and it’s definitely a surface I really enjoy playing on and obviously a win helped as well.
“So proud, obviously coming back here a year later is a testament to the hard work from me and my team and all the people who have supported me to be a better player and person. I’m excited to see how I can get on this week I feel excited I feel ready and I want to do my best.”