French tennis player Arthur Rinderknech gave fans a scare when he collapsed during his Cincinnati Open match against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. The incident took place early in the second set, just after Auger-Aliassime had leveled the score at 2-2.
Rinderknech was walking back to the baseline to collect a towel when he suddenly fell backward onto the court. The chair umpire immediately asked if he was okay before calling for medical assistance. Medics arrived within moments, placing ice on the Frenchman and checking his condition.
Auger-Aliassime also rushed over, bringing a towel and staying nearby as officials and medical staff tended to Rinderknech. The crowd watched anxiously while the broadcast briefly cut away.
After a few minutes, Rinderknech managed to get back on his feet and decided to continue playing. However, he lost the next game and required more treatment during the changeover. Eventually, he retired from the match, allowing Auger-Aliassime to move into the round of 16.
The match was played in sweltering heat, with temperatures around 32°C (90°F), and the conditions may have been a factor in the collapse.
'Do You Want Me To Kick The Child...': Chair Umpire's Bizarre Remark Sparks Shocking Reaction From Emma Raducanu During Cincinnati Open; Video
In a tense third-round battle at the Cincinnati Open, Emma Raducanu halted her serve mid-point to express her frustration over a crying child in the stands, telling the umpire she had been disturbed for a prolonged period and signaling her desire for the situation to be addressed.
"It's been, like, 10 minutes," she told the chair umpire after retreating to the baseline. The official responded pointedly, "It's a child. Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?" The remark drew a ripple of reaction from the stands, with numerous spectators audibly shouting back: "Yes!"
The moment happened during Raducanu’s tense battle against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The match lasted over three hours, with Sabalenka winning 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5). One of the highlights was a 23-minute game in the final set, featuring 13 deuces, where Raducanu fought hard to hold her serve.
Although she lost by just two total points (125 to 123), Raducanu showed improved form under new coach Francisco Roig. She later said she was proud to push the top player to the limit and is aiming to keep her level high for future matches.
Despite the distraction in the stands, Raducanu’s performance was seen as a positive step forward, especially ahead of the US Open.
