Tennis star taken off court in wheelchair after collapsing as match abandoned in worrying scenes

Ekaterina Alexandrova collapsed on court during a three-hour match against Kristina Liutova at the WTA Memphis Tennis Classic.

The world number 19 was trailing 5-4 in the third set against the 16-year-old in one of the warm-up tournaments before the US Open.

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Temperatures reached 34C when play had to be initially paused as the Russian attempted to continue.

Amidst the chaos, the 31-year-old received a time violation for taking too long to serve.

However, during the middle of the next point, the athlete fell to the ground and required lengthy medical treatment.

Alexandrova, who made it to the third round at Wimbledon, was well enough to stand following the incident but had to forfeit the match.

The outcome handed the teenager the victory in her debut match on the WTA tour, though Liutova was left in tears following the situation.

Fans reacted to the scenes on social media, one said: “It’s been such a tough season for Ekaterina Alexandrova. She’s one of my favourites, so it’s really tough seeing her like this.”

Another added: “Ekaterina Alexandrova had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair. I hope she’s okay.”

Liutova became only the second player born in 2010 to win a tour-level match, alongside Brazil’s Nauhany Vitoria Leme da Silva.

The rising star will now face American Maya Joint in the round of 16 in Memphis.

What are the WTA rules on extreme heat?

Ahead of the 2026 campaign, the WTA approved new rules regarding extreme heat.

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Under a ten-minute cooling break is implemented when the WBGT reaches 30.1C or higher.

Both players are also able to request a cooling break during the first two sets of a clash.

If the WBGT exceeds 32.2C, play will be suspended.

Venus’ early exit

Elsewhere in women’s tennis, Venus Williams lost in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington DC on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old was beaten in two straight sets by Austria’s Anastasia Potapova.

Williams won 78.4 per cent of her first serve points but just 24.1 per cent from her second serve, and 20 per cent of her returns.

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Her most recent singles victory came at the same tournament in the American capital last year.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner has lost 12 consecutive singles matches.

Potapova moves on to face Diana Shnaider in the second round of the WTA 500 event.