A ball boy is recovering in hospital after collapsing on the court on the hottest day of the year so far.

The youngster was taken to hospital as a precaution after collapsing on Court 17 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club this afternoon.

Medical staff attended the court, interrupting a match between Australia’s Matthew Ebden and 17th seed John Isner, with a stretcher being brought onto the carefully manicured grass.

The cause of the collapse is believed to be heat related. 

Temperatures soared today on the third day of the Championships in Wimbledon, with the peak expected to be 36 degrees in the area - with that on court likely to be significantly higher.

Wimbledon Times:

Melting on Murray Mount amid 33C temperatures this evening: Rob Andrews and David Yeates

Production engineer Rob Andrews, 26, was on nearby court 18 around the time the ball boy collapsed.

He said: "It got ridiculous. We were struggling in the heat."

He estimated he had drunk five bottles of water, a Pimms and two iced Robinsons drinks since joining the queue in Wimbledon Park at 6am. 

There is a heat rule which can be implemented when the heat stress index is at or above 30.1 degrees Celsius.

The heat stress index is a measure which factors together the air temperature, the humidity and the surface temperature and is measured by a heat stress monitor, which takes readings 30 minutes prior to the start of play and then at 2pm and 5pm.

It allows a 10 minute break to be taken between the second and third set if required and was introduced in 1992.

Ball boys and girls undergo a strict training programme for months before being accepted to take part. 

VIDEO: Wimbledon tennis Championships ball girls describe tough training regime.