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A ball boy, not a player, was the first victim of Wimbledon 2022, with British wildcard Jodie Burrage rushing to his aid on day one of the championships.

British wildcard Jodie Burrage is being hailed as the first heroine of Wimbledon 2022 - and she didn't even win.

Burrage rushed to the aid of an ailing ball boy during her 6-2 6-3 first-round loss to Lesia Tsurenko on Monday.

The youngster looked unsteady on his feet early in the second set win Burrage scrambled over to offer him a drink and an energy gel from her bag.

The crowd also helped out, passing some Percy Pig sweets to her during a five-minute delay.

The ball boy was later treated by paramedics and left in a wheelchair.

"He just said he was feeling really faint. He couldn't actually really talk. It was quite distressing to see," Burrage said.

"I just reacted how I think anyone would. Yeah, he was not in a good spot. I just tried to help him out as much as possible.

"I've fainted a few times. I actually had a panic attack once in juniors here, so I've been where he is.

"I kind of know a little bit how he was feeling. So, yeah, just tried to help as much as I could. Hopefully I did.

"Yeah, hopefully he's feeling better now."

Burrage refused to blame the distraction for her straight-sets defeat.

"To be honest, it didn't affect me too much," she said.

"I actually came out, hit a great serve, probably the best serve I hit in that match after that. If anything, it did help me."