Tennis player Grigor Dimitrov had to be helped off the court after a physically demanding quarter-final victory against Francisco Cerundolo at the Miami Open. The incident occurred amidst sweltering heat conditions that also affected other players, including Emma Raducanu, who reported feeling faint earlier in the tournament.
Dimitrov demonstrated resilience by saving a match point and securing his 150th ATP Masters 1000 victory with a score of 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3). Despite falling behind 3-0 in the final set, he managed to fight back and win. The grueling match extended for two hours and 48 minutes, ultimately setting up a semi-final clash against the winner of the Novak Djokovic versus Sebastian Korda match.
Following the match and a brief exchange with Cerundolo, Dimitrov requested tournament officials to postpone his on-court interview. Visibly exhausted, Dimitrov then sought medical attention courtside, appearing to suffer from cramps and labored breathing. Medical personnel attended to him, checking his blood pressure before assisting him off the court.
Tennis commentator Martina Navratilova expressed surprise, noting she had never witnessed a player collapse after winning a match. She highlighted Dimitrov`s remarkable effort, stating he seemed to be running on empty towards the end of the second set. Navratilova praised his ability to win despite his physical condition, acknowledging it as an extraordinary display of emotional and physical strength. She admitted that despite Cerundolo appearing fresher, Dimitrov found a way to secure the victory.
Dimitrov will have a day to recover before his next match, as the quarter-final between Korda and Djokovic was postponed due to time constraints. Tournament rules stipulate that matches should not commence after 11:00 PM local time without special permission.
In related news from the Miami Open, No.4 seed Jessica Pegula concluded Emma Raducanu`s strong performance in the tournament with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-2 victory. Raducanu also experienced a moment of concern late in the second set when she felt dizzy. She received medical attention, including blood tests, and was able to continue playing the third set.
Raducanu recounted her experience with dizziness, describing a feeling of faintness. She attributed it to the high humidity, long wait times, physically demanding points, extended rallies, and heavy conditions.
