Frightening moment rising tennis prospect Nicola Kuhn suffers total-body cramp

 Posted on June 13, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  357 words  |  Larita Shotwell

Rising tennis star Nicola Kuhn collapsed mid-point during a first-round match at the Miami Open this week, crumbling to the court and frightening fans when he appeared to land face first.

Kuhn, who turned 19 on Wednesday, was approaching a short ball from German Mischa Zverev when he suddenly cramped up and dropped to the hard court surface. For several moments the Austrian-born Spaniard lay motionless before he began visibly writhing in pain with what was later determined to be a severe cramp.

His trainer ran to him and gave him some water, which appeared to make Kuhn feel better physically, but the world's 255th-ranked player was clearly upset about retiring from a match he nearly won.

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Rising tennis star Nicola Kuhn collapsed mid-point during a first-round match at the Miami Open this week, crumbling to the court and frightening fans as he appeared to land face first

Rising tennis star Nicola Kuhn collapsed mid-point during a first-round match at the Miami Open this week, crumbling to the court and frightening fans as he appeared to land face first

Kuhn, who turned 19 on Wednesday, was approaching a short ball from German Mischa Zverev when he suddenly cramped up and dropped to the hard court surface

Kuhn, who turned 19 on Wednesday, was approaching a short ball from German Mischa Zverev when he suddenly cramped up and dropped to the hard court surface

His trainer ran to him and gave him some water, which appeared to make Kuhn feel better physically, but the world's 255th-ranked player was clearly upset about retiring from the match

His trainer ran to him and gave him some water, which appeared to make Kuhn feel better physically, but the world's 255th-ranked player was clearly upset about retiring from the match

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Kuhn had a 6-2, 5-2 lead at one point, but failed to convert eight match points as Zverev pushed the match into the third set.

Humidity and the 80-degree temperatures may have contributed to the cramps.

Kuhn was ultimately helped off the court and later made a statement on Twitter: 'Left it all on court. The birthday didn't go as I wished but I'm grateful for all the support I received today.'

Canadian star Denis Shapovalov wished Kuhn well on Twitter: 'Such a brutal sport this is. Hope he is okay.'

Another Canadian player, Felix Auger Aliassime, added: 'That's tough to watch. Hope your well my friend @NicolaKuhn1.' 

Humidity and the 80-degree temperatures may have contributed to the cramps

Humidity and the 80-degree temperatures may have contributed to the cramps

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