US Open: Ball boy hit in the groin by 123mph Grigor Dimitrov serve

Dimitrov's wayward serve hit a ball boy during his third round match against Joao Sousa, resulting in a painful outcome

An unlucky ball boy at the US Open felt the full wrath of Grigor Dimitrov’s powerful serve after he was struck in the groin during his third round match against Joao Sousa at the weekend.

Bulgarian Dimitrov enjoyed a return to form at Flushing Meadows this year, having reached the fourth round where he came up against a formidable Andy Murray who motored through a straight sets victory on Monday night. Despite the loss, Dimitrov looks to have a spring back in his step, and admitted that he was enjoying his tennis again after nearly two years in the wilderness that triggered a slip down the world rankings.

But while Dimitrov is enjoying himself, there will be one ball boy who feels the opposite.

During Dimitrov’s prior match against Sousa, he fired a 123mph serve that bounced a long way outside the service box. While a normal serve would have seen the ball rise towards Sousa’s midriff, the extra distance meant that the ball boy was suddenly in a spot of bother.

The unlucky youngster couldn’t react quick enough, and took the full force of Dimitrov’s serve to his nether regions, prompting concern from Sousa who twice asked if he was alright after hearing the effects of the painful blow behind him. The line judge also checked on the ball boy, but he remained all smiles and continued as if nothing had happened.

To his credit, he even managed to keep hold of the ball, and Dimitrov also waved his racket in the ball boys direction in an apologetic manner before continuing on his way.