A WIMBLEDON match on Centre Court was halted FOUR times in the same game for a medical emergency in the crowd and a bloody injury.
American No1 Taylor Fritz took on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening match on the main show court on Friday.
But early in the second set, play was suspended with Fritz serving at 2-1 up having taken the opener 6-4.
It is understood a fan was taken ill.
The spectator was helped by being given water and an umbrella put up to protect them from the sun.
The chair umpire used his phone to speak to Wimbledon officials as the two players waited on the court.
Play got back underway after four-and-a-half minutes once the supporter had been taken out of the stadium.
But in the very same game, the match was suspended again.
That was because Fritz attempted an acrobatic dive but re-opened a cut on his right elbow as blood poured down his arm.
The Californian No5 seed suffered the initial injury in his previous match and he had to have a medical time-out when break point down to get the blood cleared up.
Thankfully, he was all patched up and able to continue.
And it meant that when he eventually held serve, the game had lasted for a whopping 18 minutes.
Fritz won the second set 6-3 but then came the third lengthy stoppage – as he needed his foot blisters restrapping.
Incredibly, the match was stopped for a FOURTH time when Fritz’s elbow opened up once more.
After two lengthy five-set battles on No1 Court – the first controversially forced off before the 11pm curfew – Fritz avoided any risk of a late-night finish by being scheduled for the 1.30pm start on Friday.
He was cheered on in his player box by loyal No1 supporter, tennis influencer and girlfriend Morgan Riddle.
And there were plenty of big names in the Royal Box, too.
The likes of Anthony Joshua, Gary Lineker, Eddie Hearn, Mary Berry and Brian Cox all took their seats in the posh seats.
On Monday, there was a 15-minute delay in Carlos Alcaraz’s first-round match in the fifth set against Fabio Fognini.
The defending champion ran to help a stricken supporter on Monday, racing across with a water bottle to take to the lady.
Her daughter tweeted: “Thank you @carlosalcaraz for the concern shown to my mum today who was taken ill during your tennis match at Centre Court @Wimbledon today.
“Unlikely you’ll see this message but I can try! Thank you.”
Incredibly, though, despite his media commitments, practice and looking to secure a hat-trick of Wimbledon crowns, Alcaraz made time to send a personal reply.
The humble world No2 Spaniard typed: “You’re very welcome, it was nothing!
“I hope your mum is doing well.
“Send her a kiss from me and take good care of me.”
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