Jump directly to the content
SWEET JODIE

BBC viewers worried as Wimbledon ball boy taken ill on court and helped by Brit Jodie Burrage – who feeds him Percy Pigs

BRITISH star Jodie Burrage saved the day after a ball-boy was taken ill - by feeding him a bag of Percy Pigs.

The 2022 Wimbledon Championships got off to a rocky start after rain saw all play grind to a halt after just 40 minutes.

British star Jodie Burrage helped a poorly ball boy by offering him an isotonic drink, energy gel and even a fan's bag of Percy Pigs
3
British star Jodie Burrage helped a poorly ball boy by offering him an isotonic drink, energy gel and even a fan's bag of Percy PigsCredit: PA
Jodie Burrage offered a Powerade, energy gel and a fan's Percy Pigs in a sweet gesture
3
Jodie Burrage offered a Powerade, energy gel and a fan's Percy Pigs in a sweet gestureCredit: PA
Burrage helped the ball-boy take a swig of her Powerade after grabbing it from the on-court fridge
3
Burrage helped the ball-boy take a swig of her Powerade after grabbing it from the on-court fridgeCredit: PA

When play finally restarted, British wildcard Burrage, 23, was forced to go from tennis player to doctor in a matter of seconds.

Trailing 5-2 at the rain delay, she quickly slipped to a 6-2 first set defeat against Ukrainian opponent Lesia Tsurenko.

But moments later, she was called into action after a ball-boy suddenly fell ill - with the BBC quickly cutting the feed to Court 18, clearly worried about his wellbeing.

The youngster in question looked unsteady on his feet, before collapsing in a chair while looking visibly dazed.

READ MORE SPORT STORIES

Officials rushed over to check on him with play halted for a second time.

Still looking somewhat worse for wear, Burrage rushed over to help.

The British No5 darted to the on-court fridge and grabbed a Powerade and energy gel, before dashing over to the ball-boy.

And in a sweet gesture, quite literally, a fan in the stands offered up their packet of Percy Pigs.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

Burrage grabbed the packet and headed back to the lad and offered him a little pick-me-up.

The poorly ball-boy was eventually helped off the court by a line judge and the umpire.

He then received treatment from paramedics next to Court 18 and was taken away in a wheelchair.

But fans were quick to praise Burrage on social media for offering the lad sweets.

One wrote: "Jodie Burrage feeding an unwell ball boy Percy Pigs is the most British thing I’ve ever seen at Wimbledon."

Another said: "Seeing Jodie Burrage sharing her Percy Pigs with the poorly ball boy has given my day a lift!"

After the match, Burrage had her say on the worrying scenes, revealing: "He just said he was feeling really faint. He couldn't actually really talk. It was quite distressing to see.

"[It may have been a] panic attack... I think he was just feeling faint. He said, 'I couldn't see'.

"Obviously like his blood sugar was really low. I think he just felt really faint.

"I just tried to get him some sugar, gave him a Gatorade and a gel.

"The gel is not the nicest thing, so they managed to find some Percy Pigs somewhere along the line in the crowd, which he got down and then started to feel better.

"Yeah, hopefully he's feeling better now.

"I just reacted how I think anyone would. He was not in a good spot. I just tried to help him out as much as possible.

"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 a little bit how he was feeling. So, yeah, just tried to help as much as I could. Hopefully I did."

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic's match on Centre Court was TWICE disrupted by medical emergencies.

And earlier in the day, fans in The Queue got drenched after the sunny start was replaced by a sudden downpour of rain.

Only 40 minutes of action was squeezed in before the heavens opened.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Read More on The Sun

Frustratingly for all involved, the covers stayed on until 1pm when officials finally gave players the green light to get back out on court before the rain came down again just two hours later.

Meanwhile, BBC viewers were left shocked after Sue Barker was missing from the start of day one's coverage of her last-ever Wimbledon.