Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka thanked his supporters after the world No.53 was forced to retire from his first round clash at the US Open.
Serving at 0-1 during the fifth set of his clash against Miomir Kecmanovic, Nishioka, clutched his left thigh and arm before he collapsed at the back of the court.
Concerning scenes followed as officials rushed in to attend as Kecmanovic also went over and sat next to his opponent, in a touching gesture while Nishioka received care.
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Nishioka remained on the ground for several minutes before officially retiring, handing Kecmanovic a 7-6(2), 2-6, 5-7, 7-5, 1-0 victory. There was no official injury report but it’s understood the Japanese star suffered cramps.
It was a heartbreaking finish for Nishioka after he held two match points when serving at 5-4 in the fourth set.
Yoshihito Nishioka collapses. Stan
“Thank you very much for your support,” Nishioka wrote in Japanese on X.
“I was already feeling cramps around 3-3 in the 4th set, and my serve at 5-4 (there) was already cramping. In the final (game), my lower back was more convulsive than my legs, and I couldn’t stand up, and then my legs also convulsed.
“I was having repeated spasms in my shoulder blades, hips, flanks, and thighs.
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“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.
“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.”
Yoshihito Nishioka slumped on the ground as Miomir Kecmanovic sits next to his opponent. Stan
He added: “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 we rose in the rankings and there were many moments that gave us confidence, so we will continue to do our best in the Asian season.”
The pair were on court for three and a half hours before the incident occurred. Kecmanovic will face 18th seed Lorenzo Musetti next.
It wasn’t the only retirement of the day at Flushing Meadows, with Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen pulling out in the third set against British 25th seed Jack Draper, to hand him a 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 win.
In the women’s, Varvara Lepchenko of the United States was only on court for three games, when Brenda Fruhvirtova retired at 2-1 in the first set.
There is currently a heat advisory in place in New York, with players at the US Open experiencing sweltering conditions.