There was an unexpected turn of events at an exhibition match featuring Rafael Nadal in Majorca when play was halted due to distraught mother looking for her lost daughter.
Nine-time French Open champion Nadal was playing a doubles match alongside Spanish youngster Simon Solbas against former world No.1 players Carlos Moya and John McEnroe. The commotion occurred at the start of the third set when Nadal was serving. As he conducted his usual preparation to serve, the Spaniard stopped play once he became aware of the distressed woman in the 7000-capacity crowd was searching for her daughter.
Standing next to a policeman, the distraught woman was able to locate her daughter after a search in the crowd. The little girl (called Clara) was unharmed, but obviously upset about the situation which occurred.
The incident might have resulted in a happy ending, however, one member of the crowd blasted the mother.
“Why (was) this mum so careless in the first place, not to keep an eye on her daughter, especially in crowded places. Luckily, she was found and (I) hope this will be a learning lesson for her.”
Regardless of the disruption, Nadal and Solbas managed to close out the match 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.
