When Jodie Burrage arrived at Wimbledon in 2022, it seems unlikely that she expected to heroically provide some medical assistance.
The Brit was making her second appearance at the All England Club following her debut outing a year beforehand.
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Burrage swapped tennis for some first aid at WimbledonCredit: Getty
Burrage entered as one of seven wildcards alongside the legendary Serena Williams, a seven-time champion at Wimbledon.
A first round match against Ukrainian star Lesia Tsurenko awaited on Court 18 as the 135th edition of the tournament got underway.
Tsurenko won the first set 6-2 and started strongly in the second by leading 15-0 during her opponent’s serve.
Burrage had the ball in hand ahead of her second serve but wasn’t quick to resume the action in search of a comeback.
One of the ball boys positioned behind her didn’t appear to feel too well and had to sit down on a nearby chair.
Whilst Tsurenko remained on the other side of the court, Burrage rushed over to the bottom of the umpire’s chair for a sports drink.
She then grabbed something from her bag, which later appeared to be an energy gel that’s commonly used by tennis players.
A tournament official seemingly explained the delay to Tsurenko as the ball boy remained sat and drank from the bottle given to him.
Soon enough, a member of the crowd also jumped to his aid with a bag of the popular Percy Pigs from Marks & Spencer.
Burrage held the packet open in her hand and offered them to the poorly ball boy.
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Burrage offered some Percy Pigs to the ball boy at the start of the second setCredit: @BBCSport X
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With the tennis star’s help, he was able to get back onto his feetCredit: @BBCSport X
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The ball boy could be seen gingerly walking off the courtCredit: @BBCSport X
Play was paused for around ten minutes as a result of the worrying scenes in SW19.
However, Burrage and two officials helped him rise from his chair and slowly walk alongside the court before being taken out to recover.
The crowd applauded and the Percy Pigs were returned to the owner following the selfless act of kindness at Wimbledon.
Burrage went on to lose 6-2 6-3 to Tsurenko but it’s a match that will be remembered for her heroism.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “He just said he was feeling really faint, he actually couldn’t really even talk.”
“It was quite distressing to see so we went to get some Gatorade and gel,” Burrage added.
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Burrage and Tsurenko returned to play after the delayCredit: @BBCSport X
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But Burrage was unable to reach the second roundCredit: Getty
“The gel’s not the nicest thing so we managed to find some Percy Pigs somewhere along the line in the crowd which he got down and started to feel better. Hopefully he’s feeling better now.
“It didn’t affect me too much, I actually came out and hit a great serve, probably the best serve I hit in that match after that, so if anything it helped me.
“I’ve fainted a few times. I actually had a panic attack once in juniors here so I’ve been where he is. I kind of know how he was feeling and just tried to help as much as I could.”
Val Shand was in the crowd for the match and gave a glowing review of Burrage’s response to the ball boy falling ill.
“He was either too hot or he hadn’t had enough to eat, he just looked like he needed sugar or water,” she told the PA news agency.
“He wobbled. Jodie Burrage was really sweet, she went and got him water and sweets. She was really good, really nice to him.
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“He sat for a while looking like he was about to pass out. If I was his mum I would have been over there, but fortunately for him I wasn’t. I felt for him.”
Her friend Laura Middleton also said: “He was wilting and his glasses were off as well. The game just stopped.
“It was at the end of a point and he sort of just crumbled. Tsurenko handed over some sweets or gummies for him to eat as well. It seemed a little while before somebody came to get him.
“It felt like longer because we were distressed for him, because it didn’t look like he was going to get back on his feet without help.”
Burrage returned to Wimbledon in 2023 and beat Caty McNally to reach the second round, but didn’t not feature last year.