Sunday's accident during a doubles match followed the collapse of British coach Nigel Sears on Saturday and two earlier emergencies involving spectators at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne.

Australia's Fairfax Media said the mother of Groth, who is Hewitt's doubles partner, fell on stairs in Margaret Court Arena and needed attention from paramedics, causing a long delay during the second set.

Groth appeared concerned during the delay and covered part of his face with a towel, Fairfax said. But the Herald Sun said the woman got up after treatment and walked up the stairs unaided.

The incident punctuated Hewitt and Groth's 6-4, 6-2 men's doubles defeat to Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock, the last professional match involving the former world number one who bowed out of the singles draw last week.

It followed the dramatic collapse of Sears, the coach of Ana Ivanovic and Andy Murray's father-in-law, at Rod Laver Arena late on Saturday. He spent the night in hospital before being given the all-clear.

Sears' collapse was the second incident during one of Ivanovic's matches after an elderly spectator fell on stairs and needed emergency treatment during her third-round clash with Anastasija Sevastova.

Earlier in the tournament, a female fan suffered a seizure during Bernard Tomic's round-one match with Denis Istomin, and was treated with an anti-allergy shot.