Wimbledon: Jack Sock locates young Irish fan who lost towel tug-of-war

American star invites fan to future games; all four Grand Slams also offer towels

A general view of Court 8 during Jack Sock’s first-round game against Christian Garin of Chile on Tuesday. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
A general view of Court 8 during Jack Sock’s first-round game against Christian Garin of Chile on Tuesday. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The agent of American tennis star Jack Sock has confirmed that a young Irish tennis fan has been in touch to say he lost out on the player’s towel following a tug of war with an older man at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

World No 18 Sock made an appeal on social media after video emerged of the boy losing out to a man seated in the front row on Court No 8 at the All-England club.

Sock had just beaten Chile’s Christian Garin in a first-round match, before throwing his towel towards the crowd, an age-old custom at tennis tournaments.

Although it was not obvious from the video who Sock intended to throw the towel at, the player made clear his intentions after the incident went viral.

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Sock tweeted: “If anyone knows the kid that unfortunately had the towel ripped out of his hands . . . tweet his name at me and I’ll be sure to get him one.”

Sock’s gesture was followed by offers of towels from the other three Grand Slam tournaments and also from Christy, the official Wimbledon towel maker.

Sock’s agent confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the young fan had been found.

Mary Jane Orman said in a statement: “The boy messaged Jack directly on Instagram and is from Ireland.

“He is gone home now but Jack invited him to his matches and said he will send him a towel.”

Emmet Riordan

Emmet Riordan

Emmet Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist