New balls, please: Australian Open ball boy takes 200km/h serve to the groin

Feliciano Lopez serve causes more damage than intended

Comments

(Australian Open TV)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The phrase "new balls, please" has a new meaning for one unlucky ball boy at the Australian Open.

During a second-round match between Feliciano Lopez and Adrian Mannarino, one of the former's 196km/h serves hit a ball boy right below the belt.

No. 12 seed Lopez instantly asked the boy whether he was okay and looked visibly upset by the incident. The boy - who still fetched the offending ball - can be seen in evident pain as both players come to check on him.