'Hard to watch': Teenage rookie suffers scary on-court 'collapse'
British teenager Jack Draper's ATP Tour debut ended in disaster after the 19-year-old collapsed and was forced to quit during oppressive conditions at the Miami Open.
The hot and humid conditions on Court 2 appeared to have taken a toll on the 19-year-old wildcard during the first set against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin which stretched on for a brutal 81 minutes.
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With Kukushkin leading the set 6-5, Draper appeared distressed and had his heart-rate checked courtside by medical staff before deciding to continue.
Draper's return was short-lived as he fell to the ground while attempting to keep the ball in play on set point, rolling onto his back as medical staff quickly came to his aid.
It allowed Kukushkin to seal the set 7-5, prompting a clearly unwell Draper to retire.
Commentators and fans were immediately concerned for the British teenager, who slumped onto the hard surface while trying to return a routine forehand.
A concerned Kukushkin immediately came over to check that his opponent was alright as medical staff raced to Draper's aid.
Fortunately, he was able to get back to his feet and left the court with the assistance of staff.
However, the frightening incident left viewers worried for his health on social media.
Really scary scenes for young Brit Jack Draper, who was going for a forehand and just ... collapsed.
Kukushkin not feeling great either.
The medical folks looked to be right there and ran to him in just seconds. pic.twitter.com/4Xw8C0TjgK— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) March 25, 2021
Scary Moment in Miami
Wildcard Jack Draper collapses mid-point with an apparent illness, giving Mikael Kukushkin the set, then retires from the match.— Tennis Betting Guide (@GameBetMatch) March 25, 2021
Jack Draper has to retire after collapsing on set point down against Kukushkin in Miami. Hard to watch. Nasty fall as he completely collapsed, having had treatment for what seemed like heat stress.
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) March 25, 2021
Scary moment for Jack Draper, who collapsed on set point at the end of 79 minute first set against Kukushkin. Was grueling, and he was fighting it. Let's hope he's okay. https://t.co/fMGiGeEIGX
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) March 25, 2021
I'm not really sure why he was allowed to continue there. He was obviously struggling a lot. A young guy with a WC into his first tour match is always going to try to carry on; others have a duty of care to him to make that decision.
— Lyn Knott (@lyn_knott) March 25, 2021
Nice to hear Jack Draper in press talk about what happened, on Prime Video just now. Said he didn't collapse, he tripped up. Had Covid in January. Will return to the UK now and play the Pro Series and then Challengers on clay in Europe.
— Lee S (@underarm_ace) March 25, 2021
British teen 'dizzy' before he fell
Fortunately, the 19-year-old appeared in better spirits a short time after his retirement, admitting that the conditions in Miami left him dizzy but denying that he collapsed.
"At the changeover, I was starting to feel my body a bit," Draper said.
"I said that I'm going to carry on because I wasn't feeling faint... But obviously when I got out there, that wasn't the case.
"On the last point, I didn't collapse. I actually just tripped because I was starting to feel really dizzy and stuff."
Draper had an ice pack placed on his neck at the end of the first set before he walked off court.
"In the last couple of hours, I have been with physios, trying to recover as best as possible, just trying to look after myself and move forward."
Kukushkin, 33, has competed since 2005, when Draper was only three years old.
This marks his 10th trip to Miami yet he believes he has never played in such difficult conditions.
“I believe he’s a good player, young,” Kukushkin said about the British teen after the match.
“It was a tough match, really tough conditions today. So hot and humid and really slow.
"I’ve never played in such slow conditions. The balls after one or two games started getting so big.
"You needed so much energy to just hit over the net. Every single game was deuce, such long rallies.”
with agencies
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