On June 18, 2025, during his first-round match against Marcos Giron at the Halle Open, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev swiftly assisted a 62-year-old female spectator struck by a falling advertising board, an unprecedented incident in the tournament’s 32-year history, per ESPN. At 5-2 in the first set, a loud bang interrupted play as the board detached from the upper tier, hitting the woman in the lower stands, per BBC Sport. Zverev, alongside umpire Renaud Lichtenstein, rushed to provide an ice pack for her neck, earning applause, per Daily Mail. The spectator, who sustained minor injuries, left the stadium independently but was hospitalized as a precaution, per The US Sun.
Zverev expressed relief post-match, stating, “Of course, something like this shouldn’t happen. I hope the lady is okay and is being well cared for. She walked out on her own, which means she’s reasonably well. That’s the most important thing,” per EssentiallySports. Tournament director Ralf Weber apologized, noting, “We deeply regret the incident,” and offered the woman a free season ticket for 2026, per News18. Organizers attributed the mishap to loose screws, possibly from fans drumming on boards, and conducted immediate safety checks, per Channel News Asia. Zverev resumed play, securing a 6-2, 6-1 victory, and advanced to face Lorenzo Sonego, per The Straits Times.
