Tsonga to the rescue of ailing ball girl

Posted January 20, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France assists a ball girl from the court who was unwell during his second round match against Omar Jasika of Australia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came to the aid of a ball girl in distress and won accolades on social media from fans who called him a gentleman.

The No. 9-seeded Frenchman said he noticed the ball girl was unwell during the third set of his match Wednesday, so he paused before serving and walked over to see what was wrong.

He put his hand on her back, and the ball girl handed Tsonga a ball she was holding. He then looped his arm through hers and escorted the ball girl off the court.

"I saw she was in trouble," Tsonga said. "It was normal to help her out of the stadium. I hope she's OK."

The ball girl was fine, just feeling under the weather, according to tournament organizers. And Tsonga is through to the third round after beating Omar Jasika of Australia, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

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