TENNIS star Yoshihito Nishioka collapsed and was carried off court in a wheelchair at the US Open in worrying scenes.
The Japanese ace was into the fifth set against opponent Miomir Kecmanovic when he fell to the ground.
Nishioka, 28, appeared to be in agony as he stumbled to the back of the court after a gruelling point.
He then dropped to the floor as medics and the umpire rushed over to him.
Kecmanovic, 24, was so concerned for his rival that he also ran over to the world No51 with a water bottle and then sat by his side while he received treatment.
Nishioka laid motionless on the deck until he was eventually propped up and taken away in a wheelchair.
The score was 6-7 6-2 7-5 5-7 0-1 when he was forced to retire, with Kecmanovic now set to face Lorenzo Musetti in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Nishioka later provided fans with a health update, saying: “Thank you for all your support. I apologise for worrying you.
“I was already feeling cramps in 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.
“I started having difficulty breathing, but with the support of my team, I was put into a wheelchair (I asked for a stretcher but it didn’t come) and carried away while still having convulsions.
“The convulsions didn’t stop for about an hour, but I’m feeling better now.
“My body parts are hurting a lot, so I’m going to skip the doubles and go back to Japan.”
