Tennis great Alicia Molik was captured on film leaving a press conference to assist a young girl who suddenly collapsed on the court behind her.
The former world No. 8 and two-time grand slam doubles champion was appointed as Adelaide International’s new tournament director.
But, a TV appearance announcing her new role didn’t prevent Molik from coming to the rescue when a medical emergency unfolded.
While listening to a journalist’s question, a thudding noise from the court behind her made several event attendees turn their heads.
Without hesitation, the 42-year-old sprinted over to a young player named Jasmine, who was lying unresponsive on the ground after collapsing center-court. Molik provided basic first aid, rolling the teenager onto her side to clear her airway, and remained by her side until paramedics arrived.
Two hours of tennis play led to Jasmine’s unexpected collapse on the court, according to the Adelaide Advertiser. She is currently recovering in the hospital.
The incident occurred after Molik expressed her desire to give back to Adelaide’s tennis community in her new position.
The tournament director role brings Molik back to her home state of South Australia after serving for ten years as the captain of the Billie Jean King Cup team representing Australia in international women’s tennis.
She stated, “Tennis is part of my everyday DNA and to have the opportunity to be part of a world-class tennis event in the city where I grew up is really something special.”
Meanwhile, Molik expressed confidence in leaving the Billie Jean King Cup team in a prime position.
“Women’s tennis in Australia has been, from a team’s perspective, in a really strong position,” she said after the finals two weeks ago.
“In the last 10 years, we went from having a No. 4 in the world in Sam Stosur to a No. 1 in singles in Ash Barty, who started and finished her career under my tenure.”
“Now we have another (doubles) No. 1 in Storm Hunter, and Ellen (Perez) has hit one of the highest points in her doubles career (at world No. 17) as well. It’s in an incredibly healthy spot.”
Molik expressed high hopes for the junior Aussie players and foresees more junior players joining the senior team in the next few years.
She said, “In the next few years, I feel like we’ll have a lot more of our junior players in the senior team because we’ve some really great young talents in Australian tennis. I think they’re in a wonderful position, but I don’t think they need me any more. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.