A shocking incident occurred at the prestigious Halle Open tennis tournament when a 62-year-old female spectator was struck by a falling advertising banner. The event, which was part of the match between Alexander Zverev and Marcos Giron, led to immediate medical attention for the injured spectator.

Incident Details:

• Location: Lower tier of the stadium during a high-profile match.
• Injury: The woman sustained injuries to her neck but was reported to have no major injuries.
• Response: Zverev personally handed her an ice pack as she was escorted out for medical checks.

Tournament Reaction:

• Statement: Tournament director Ralf Weber expressed deep regret over the incident, stating it was unprecedented in the tournament's 32-year history.
• Compensation: The affected spectator was offered a free season ticket for next year's event.

Safety Measures:

• Investigation: Event managers Udo Kleine and Uwe Greipel-Dominik suggested that drumming against the boards might have loosened screws, leading to the accident.
• Preventive Actions: All other banners and their fixings were to be checked immediately following the match.

Match Outcome: Despite the disruption, Zverev continued to dominate the match, securing a decisive victory with scores of 6-2, 6-1, advancing him to the last 16.

This incident has sparked a broader discussion on safety protocols at major sporting events, emphasizing the need for stringent checks and balances to protect all attendees.