For the next two weeks, the world of tennis is turning its attention to New York City as the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, takes center stage. Fans from across the globe are flocking to the USTA National Tennis Center, eager to witness the sport’s top players compete for one of the most coveted titles in tennis.
The tournament kicked off on Monday with several high-profile matches, but one particularly alarming moment during a first-round encounter left the audience and players in shock.
Japanese tennis star Yoshihito Nishioka, engaged in a grueling five-set battle against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, suddenly collapsed on the court. The intense match, played under sweltering conditions, took a severe toll on Nishioka, who had been battling dehydration and cramping as the match wore on.
As Nishioka fell to the ground in the fifth set, it quickly became apparent that he was in distress. Kecmanovic, displaying great sportsmanship, rushed to his opponent’s aid, offering him water while tournament staff hurried to provide medical assistance. The scene was a sobering reminder of the physical demands placed on athletes, particularly in such punishing conditions.
Nishioka later took to social media to explain the frightening ordeal. “I started having trouble breathing, but with the help of the team, I was able to get into a wheelchair, and they carried me away despite my convulsions,” he shared. “The convulsions didn’t stop for about an hour, but they’ve subsided now. My body parts are hurting a lot, so I’m planning to skip doubles and go back to Japan.”
Unfortunately, Nishioka was forced to retire from the match in the fifth set, resulting in Kecmanovic advancing to the next round. Despite the disappointing end to his US Open campaign, Nishioka remained optimistic about his overall performance this season. “It’s a shame that it ended so badly and we looked like we could have won the match, but this American hard-court season saw us rise in the rankings and there were many moments that gave us confidence. We will continue to do our best in the Asian season,” he said.
With Nishioka’s withdrawal, Kecmanovic now moves forward to face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the second round on Wednesday.
As the tournament progresses, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the resilience and determination required to compete at the highest levels of tennis, where the physical and mental challenges are as fierce as the competition itself.
