Ana Ivanovic's coach collapsed mid way through the Serb's fourth round match against Madison Keys at Rod Laver Arena. At 6-4 1-0, during a change of ends, Nigel Sears told Ivanovic's team that he was not feeling well and he proceeded to leave the court. While leaving the court, Sears collapsed.
Play Delayed Nearly An Hour
Play was delayed for the next 50 minutes as medical staff attended to Sears. Sears, the father of Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears, was taken to a nearby hospital to receive further treatment. Murray was playing his fourth round match against Portuguese Joao Sousa at Margaret Court Arena, while Sears collapsed.
The 58-year-old Sears is currently at a Melbourne hospital, where he is conscious and speaking. Kim Sears is currently at home in Scotland, where she and Andy, are expecting their first child in a few weeks. Murray, Ivanovic, and Keys were all given the option to skip doing their post-match press conferences and all three did take that option.
"Obviously it was a tough match," Ivanovic said in a statement after the match. "I played so well. First set, I won it. I felt like I produced some good games, created some opportunities. But she came back strong with a very powerful game. ... Obviously a little disappointed but a lot to look forward to."
Ivanovic then took to twitter to thank fans for their support later in the night.
Sousa Comments After Murray Match
With Ivanovic, Keys and Murray skipping their press conferences, Joao Sousa was the only player of the four involved in those two matches who did do press.
"I just heard that Andy went direct to the hospital. Good thing is [Sears] is conscious, he's speaking," Sousa said after the match. "So we hope there's nothing bad and, of course, first is the family and the health, so I think it's very good that Andy went there to be with him."
Sears' collapse played a major role in the outcome of the match. After the 50 minute delay, Keys came out firing and serving much better than she did in the first. Keys played well throughout the second set, eventually taking it 6-4 to level the match at a set all. Ivanovic raced out to a quick lead in the third, going up 2-0. Keys would rally to take the match in the end, 4-6 6-4 6-4.