Tennis star Ekaterina Alexandrova collapsed on the court in frightening scenes before being taken away in a wheelchair and forced to abandon her opening match at the Memphis Classic.
The 31-year-old world No. 19 appeared to be overwhelmed by the punishing heat during her first-round battle against 16-year-old Kristina Liutova.
Alexandrova, the tournament’s top seed, was trailing 5-4 during the third set when she suddenly went down on the court in the third hour of play.
Temperatures reportedly climbed to 34 degrees Celsius, or roughly 93 degrees Fahrenheit, as the two players fought through the grueling match.
Medical personnel immediately rushed onto the court and surrounded Alexandrova as she remained down. Liutova appeared visibly shaken while watching the distressing scene unfold from nearby.
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Alexandrova received treatment but was ultimately unable to continue. She was later taken off the court in a wheelchair, prompting concern from fans who feared for her condition.
Her withdrawal handed Liutova the first tour-level victory of the teenager’s career, though the historic moment was overshadowed by the alarming circumstances.
“Heartbreaking for Alexandrova, but what a stunning debut win for 16-year-old Liutova in brutal heat!” one viewer wrote on social media.
Another fan said it was difficult to watch Alexandrova struggle through what has already been a challenging season.
“It’s been such a tough season for Ekaterina Alexandrova,” the person wrote. “She’s one of my favourites, so it’s really tough seeing her like this.”
Another concerned viewer added, “Ekaterina Alexandrova had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair. I hope she’s okay.”
Alexandrova had also struggled throughout the match before collapsing, recording 15 double faults, landing only 53% of her first serves and giving Liutova 21 break-point opportunities.
Liutova became only the second player born in 2010 to win a tour-level match. Brazil’s Nauhany Vitória Leme da Silva became the first in September 2025.
The teenager will next face American Maya Joint in the round of 16.
The frightening incident comes amid heightened concern about players competing in dangerous temperatures.
New ATP- and WTA-approved extreme-heat rules were introduced ahead of the 2026 season using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which measures heat stress by taking factors including temperature and humidity into account.
Under the ATP provisions, players may request a 10-minute cooling break when the WBGT reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius or higher during the first two sets of a best-of-three singles match.
Play is supposed to be suspended when the measurement exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere, Venus Williams suffered another difficult defeat at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.
The 46-year-old tennis legend lost 6-3, 6-3 to Anastasia Potapova, marking her ninth consecutive singles loss of 2026 and her 12th straight defeat overall when including results from 2025.
Potapova will face Diana Shnaider in the second round of the WTA 500 tournament.