Caught on camera! Terrifying moment an umpire is almost flattened by an out-of-control ‘Spidercam” at the Australian Open
- Shocking incident was moments after Ash Barty defeated v Maria Sharapova
- The umpire was sitting in her chair as the ‘Spider cam’ crashed into the roof
- A ball girl was also fortunate to escape injury on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday
- Tennis Australia grounded the flying camera and launched and investigation
A tennis umpire was almost flattened by an out of control low-flying ‘Spidercam’ at the Australian Open.
Moments after Australian hope Ash Barty shocked the crowd at Rod Laver Arena when she defeated Russian superstar Maria Sharapova in three sets to progress to the quarter-finals in the women’s singles, a rogue camera left tennis fans stunned.
Umpire Alison Hughes was still sitting in her chair as the roof was ripped off on Sunday afternoon.
Umpire Alison Hughes (pictured) looks on in bemusement after a low flying camera smashed into her chair on Sunday
She managed to escape injury, as did a nearby ball girl.
The camera wobbled in the air for several seconds and at one stage looked as if it was going to tumble off its cables and crash to the court but it stabilised.
The camera, which offers a unique angle for TV viewers, was eventually lowered to the court where a technician performed a damage assessment.
Tennis Australia launched their own investigation into the bizarre incident.
‘Spidercam has been shut down while the incident is thoroughly investigated,’ a statement read.
A tennis umpire (pictured) was almost flattened by an out of control low-flying camera at the Australian Open on Sunday
The bizarre incident happened just moments after Australia’s Ash Barty beat Maria Sharapova on Sunday at the Australian Open
‘The official’s (Alison Hughes) welfare was our first priority.
‘She was startled by the incident and has been seen by the medical team.
‘She did not require treatment and will continue working at the event as scheduled.’