Wimbledon sprinkler issue causes havoc during mixed doubles match

There were comical scenes at Wimbledon when a malfunctioning sprinkler went off unexpectedly during a match.

Artem Sitak and Laura Siegemund's mixed doubles match against Ken Skupski and Darija Jurak was taking place on day five on Court 15 at the All England Club when suddenly a sprinkler went off.

Behind the umpires chair it began spraying the players, their gear and the officials that tried to subdue the water.

Players tried to frantically rescue their equipment bags from being drenched as the crowd were equal parts amused and stunned by the unexpected gaffe.

The first-round clash was moved to Court 16, where Sitak and Siegemund won the match, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"The sprinkler head behind the umpire's chair just popped up. You hear it, it's an unusual sound, and then 100 gallons of water just started nailing them," Skupski told Press Association Sport.

"Fortunately the water was spraying on the other side. I've seen clips on YouTube of it happening at tournaments but not at Wimbledon, so that was unexpected.

"And to move courts and start straight away in a bit of a different environment, that was a bit unusual, but at least we might make it onto the TV tonight."