Updated July 06, 2019 14:57:23

As Wimbledon baked through another warm, cloudless summer's day, the last thing on anyone's mind was a burst of rain to ruin their day, with fans and players alike instead wondering how they could cool themselves down.

Unfortunately, mixed doubles pair Laura Siegemund and Artem Sitak got more than they bargained for when a rogue sprinkler went off beside them at a change of ends in their first-round clash on court 15, sending them scrambling for cover.

A Wimbledon employee appeared to alleviate the problem by stomping down on the offending sprinkler head, leading to a brief period of calm.

But shortly after the water returned with a vengeance, sending courtside furniture flying and the players diving for cover.

So much water fell on the court that officials ruled the match had to be moved to the adjacent court 16.

Rain delays are relatively common during Wimbledon, but rarely are the soakings self-inflicted.

Not that it mattered to German Siegemund and New Zealander Sitak, as they eventually dried themselves off and completed a three-set victory over Brit Ken Skupski and Croatian Darija Jurak, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Meanwhile, the high-profile pairing of Andy Murray and Serena Williams saw their opening match delayed until Saturday.

The multiple grand slam singles winners, partnering for the first time at Wimbledon, will take on Cuba's Alexa Guarachi and Germany's Andreas Mills in their first-round clash.

Topics: sport, tennis, united-kingdom, england

First posted July 06, 2019 09:09:37