British tennis star Emma Raducanu experienced a health scare during her Miami Open quarter-final match against Jessica Pegula. The 22-year-old felt dizzy and faint midway through the match, prompting medical intervention. Despite her struggles, she pushed the match to three sets before ultimately losing 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
Medical Timeout Raises Concerns
During the second set, Raducanu paused play as a doctor was called to check her vitals. Ice towels and blocks of ice were applied to help lower her body temperature, and her blood pressure was taken to assess the severity of the issue.
Speaking after her loss, Raducanu admitted she wasn’t sure what caused the problem:
“I just felt really dizzy. I felt faint. It was very humid out there, and we had a long wait before the match. Maybe it was an accumulation of factors—long rallies, heavy conditions. I don’t know how I regrouped in the second set, but in the third, I definitely struggled.”
Expert Analysis: Dehydration the Likely Cause
Sports nutritionist Daniel Herman, who has worked with elite athletes including ex-F1 driver David Coulthard and Team GB rower James Cracknell, believes dehydration was the likely culprit.
“It’s common for players in Miami to feel dizzy due to dehydration,” Herman told Express Sport. “Tennis matches can last for hours with few breaks, making it easy for the body to overheat.”
Herman also questioned whether Raducanu’s team had properly prepared her for Miami’s extreme conditions:
“Could Emma have arrived earlier to acclimatize? Did her team adjust her hydration strategy? When an athlete feels dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous, it’s often due to dehydration. Ideally, she would have been taking isotonic or electrolyte drinks to replenish fluids and maintain key electrolyte balance.”
Additionally, Herman noted that Raducanu’s menstrual cycle might have played a role in her susceptibility to dehydration and fatigue.
Tennis Schedule: A Growing Concern
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has raised concerns about congested schedules and the impact on players’ health. Raducanu played four matches in six days before her exit, a heavy workload given her injury history.
“Elite athletes face immense pressure to perform constantly,” Herman said. “If they don’t get enough recovery time, it can lead to fatigue and long-term health risks. Overtraining or excessive competition schedules can negatively impact performance.”
Raducanu’s Future Outlook
Despite the setback, Raducanu remains optimistic. She recently expressed satisfaction with her overall progress and fitness and aims to build momentum heading into the clay-court season.
Stay updated with the latest tennis news by following Express Sport on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
