Elena Rybakina is set to face off against Iga Swiatek in the championship match of the 2024 Doha Open. Rybakina emerged victorious in the semifinals, defeating her opponent in straight sets. However, the focus shifted away from her triumph due to a comical incident that occurred after the match.
Following her 6-2, 6-4 win, Rybakina autographed a tennis ball and tossed it into the crowd. The ball was initially headed towards a young boy, but suddenly an elderly, bald man appeared out of nowhere and sprinted towards it. Unable to hold onto the railing, he lost his balance and fell from the stands, injuring himself in the process. Fortunately, the young boy managed to avoid harm.
Despite the distraction, Rybakina is now turning her attention to the final of the Doha Open. Having already secured victories in the Brisbane International and the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this year, this will be her third final in just two months. She will be competing against Iga Swiatek in what promises to be an exciting match.
Rybakina holds a 3:1 head-to-head record against the current World No. 1, making her the favorite to win the Doha Open. While Swiatek is the top seed in the tournament, she has only defeated Rybakina once, and even that victory came as a result of a mid-match retirement.
Following the spectator’s fall from the stands, it was confirmed that he was safe and not seriously injured. Despite the potential danger, he managed to obtain the signed ball from Elena Rybakina, which he had risked his safety for. The incident sparked a discussion among fans on social media.
Some fans speculated that the man’s enthusiasm may have been driven by the possibility of winning a new iPhone if he caught the ball. Comparisons were made to the men’s tournament, where players receive iPhones as gifts, while fans or women tennis players have to catch balls in the stands for a chance to win one.
Although the incident provided entertainment, some fans expressed concern for the safety of both the man and the young boy. They urged Rybakina to reconsider the tradition of throwing balls into the stands during her future matches. Nonetheless, Rybakina is currently preparing for her final match against the World No. 1.
According to the Source firstsportz.com