Alexander Zverev handed the spectator an ice pack following the incident A female spectator was taken to hospital after being hit by an advertising banner that fell from the upper tier at the Halle Open in Germany. The 62-year-old woman was sitting in the lower tier watching Alexander Zverev's match with Marcos Giron when she was struck, but did not suffer any major injuries, according to the tournament website. Zverev handed her an ice pack, which she held to her neck as she left the stadium before going to hospital to be checked. "There has never been anything like this in our 32-year tournament history. We deeply regret the incident," said tournament director Ralf Weber. Weber also promised the woman a free season ticket for next year's event. "We suspect that the drumming against the boards caused screws to come loose," event managers Dr Udo Kleine and Uwe Greipel-Dominik said in a joint statement. "This must not happen and we apologise. We will also check all the other boards and their fixings immediately after the Zverev match." When the match resumed, Zverev completed a 6-2 6-1 victory to move into the last 16.
Fan hit by falling advertising banner at Halle Open
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"Spectator Injured by Falling Banner at Halle Open Tennis Tournament"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
During the Halle Open in Germany, a troubling incident occurred when a 62-year-old female spectator was struck by a falling advertising banner while watching a match between Alexander Zverev and Marcos Giron. The banner fell from the upper tier of the stadium, prompting immediate concern for the woman's well-being. Fortunately, she did not sustain any major injuries, according to the tournament's official website. Zverev, showing his concern, provided her with an ice pack to alleviate any discomfort as she was escorted out of the stadium to seek medical attention. The incident was unprecedented in the tournament's 32-year history, and it left both officials and attendees shaken. Tournament director Ralf Weber expressed deep regret over the event, emphasizing that such occurrences are unacceptable and should never happen in the future. As a gesture of goodwill, Weber offered the woman a complimentary season ticket for next year’s event.
Following the incident, event managers Dr. Udo Kleine and Uwe Greipel-Dominik released a statement suggesting that the vibrations from the crowd’s cheering may have caused screws to loosen, leading to the banner's fall. They assured that all other boards and fixings would be thoroughly inspected to prevent any similar occurrences. After the brief interruption, the match resumed, with Zverev securing a decisive victory with a score of 6-2, 6-1, advancing him to the last 16 of the tournament. The focus now shifts to ensuring the safety of all spectators in future matches, as the tournament organizers are committed to reviewing and enhancing safety protocols at the venue to avoid any repeat of this unfortunate incident.
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