Tennis star collapses on court during three-hour match in 34C heat
- Russian tennis player Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked world No 19, collapsed on court and retired from her first-round match at the Memphis Classic due to sweltering temperatures of 34C.
- Alexandrova was trailing 7-6(7-2) 4-6 5-4 against 16-year-old compatriot Kristina Liutova when she crouched to the ground between points and then collapsed midway through the next point.
- After receiving medical attention, Alexandrova retired from the match, just two points from defeat after three hours and 11 minutes, and was subsequently helped off court in a wheelchair.
- The incident marked an eventful WTA Tour debut and first win at this level for Liutova, who was visibly emotional and comforted by her team after the match.
- Extreme heat has been a recurring problem on the tennis tour this year, affecting tournaments like Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open, where temperatures reached 46C.
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