Yoshihito Nishioka collapses in frightening scene at US Open

A frightening scene occurred on the opening day of the US Open on Monday when Japanese star Yoshihito Nishioka suddenly collapsed during his first-round match.

Nishioka was in the fifth set of his match against Miomir Kecmanović when he fell to the ground at the back of the court.

The 28-year-old appeared to be in a lot of pain as he struggled with severe cramps on the brutally humid day in Flushing Meadows.

US Open officials immediately rushed to his aid and Kecmanović, who was sitting next to Nishioka, came over and offered him some water.

Nishioka needed a wheelchair to leave Court 8 as Kecmanović advanced to the second round due to his elimination.

“Thank you for your support…” Nishioka wrote in Japanese on X. “I started having cramps in the fourth set at around 3-3, and my serve was already cramping at 5-4 (there). In the final (match), I had more cramps in my lower back than in my legs and could not get up, and then my legs started cramping too. I had repeated cramps in my shoulder blades, hips, flanks and thighs.

“I had difficulty breathing, but with the help of the team I was able to get into a wheelchair and they carried me away despite my cramps. The cramps didn't stop for about an hour, but now they have subsided. My body parts are very sore, so I plan to skip the double exams and return to Japan.”

Kecmanović won the first set in a tiebreak before Nishioka – ranked 53rd in the world – won the second and third sets before losing the fourth set to force a deciding set.

“It's a shame that it ended so badly and it looked like we could have won the match, but in this American (hard court) season we have risen in the rankings and there have been many moments that have given us confidence, so we will do our best in the Asian season as well,” Nishioka wrote. “First of all, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the Davis Cup.”

Kecmanović will face 18th seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the second round on Wednesday.