Fans have taken to social media calling for a young German tennis player to "sue" Wimbledon after she fell into an uncovered ditch during her first-round match.
Ella Seidel was forced to abandon her first-round Wimbledon match on Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury caused by an uncovered ditch at the back of the court. The 20-year-old had to retire whilst trailing 6-3, 3-2 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The incident has cost Seidel the opportunity to progress in the tournament and the £33,000 prize money awarded to second-round participants. The world No109 twisted her ankle when it became trapped in the ditch, which was not adequately covered by the court's back screen.
Tennis fans have responded with outrage, with many calling for the player to pursue legal action against the All England Club.
Ella Seidel got her foot caught in a ditch as she was playing
BBC
One fan posted: "If I was Ella Seidel I would be suing #Wimbledon2025 after she badly twisted her ankle stepping in an exposed ditch a couple on inches deep at the back of the court.
"The back screen should have covered it, but didn't go all they way to the ground and been further forward."
Another supporter wrote: "Ella Seidel might have to retire from this match but she will get a BAG if she sues Wimbledon.
"No barriers and just a steep drop off at the end of the courts is insane".
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A third commented: "That's really unfortunate for Ella Seidel".
Seidel's injury occurred when she stepped backwards during play and her ankle became caught in a gap at the rear of the court. The ditch was partially exposed where the back screen failed to extend fully to the ground.
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Ella Seidel spent a long time being attended to by medical staff after the incident
BBC
The young German collapsed to the floor immediately after the incident, clearly in significant pain. Medical staff attended to her on court for an extended period.
Despite receiving treatment, Seidel ultimately made the difficult decision to retire from the match.
Her withdrawal meant automatic progression for her Spanish opponent Bouzas Maneiro to the second round.
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This would not be the first time a player has threatened legal action over court conditions at Wimbledon.
In 2016, Serena Williams warned she would sue referee Andrew Jarrett due to slippery playing surfaces.
Ella Seidel was forced to retire from the game
Getty
During her match, Williams declared: "If I get hurt, I'm suing him".
She added: "I'm going to fall. I don't get it. Can't they just close the roof?"
However, the American star later withdrew her threat after the match concluded.
She explained: "I was in the moment. I was on the court. What I say on the court, whether it's smashing my rackets or it's in the heat of the moment... I have no plans, no future of suing Wimbledon."
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