Frightening scenes on court eight
Tennis star Yoshihito Nishioka collapsed in frightening scenes on the opening day of the US Open, forcing him to retire from the match.
The Japanese player, who is ranked number 24 in the world, was up against Miomir Kecmanovic who had forced a deciding set after winning the fourth.
Nishioka looked to be in some discomfort as the fifth set began with Kecmanovic holding serve to love.
As the 28-year-old went to deauce, Nishioka was seen bending over in pain as he clutched his leg.
He carried on for the next point before things took a turn for the worse as he collapsed to the ground at the back of the court.
Nishioka was unable to move as the chair umpire rushed over to his aid.
In a moment of sportsmanship and solidarity, his opponent came over to sit by his side as he received medical treatment for quite some time, making sure he had plenty of water.
He was eventually forced to retire from the match as he was taken off in a wheelchair.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) later confirmed Nishioka was suffering from cramping.
Nishioka updated fans following the match, reassuring them that he was okay and apologised for worrying them.
He said: “Thank you for all your support. I apologise for worrying you. I was already feeling cramps around the 33rd point of the 4th set, and I was already cramping when I served at 5-4.
“In the final [set], my waist started to spasm more than my legs, and I couldn’t stand up. Then my legs started to spasm too. Then my shoulder blades, both hips, sides, and thighs started to spasm repeatedly.”
Nishioka also criticised officials after he reportedly asked for a stretcher but instead they decided to take him from court eight in a wheelchair.
Serbian star, Kecmanovic will now progress to the second round where he will face No 18 seed Lorenzo Musetti.
