Australian Open star vomits and leaves marks on court in brutal victory | Tennis | sport

Frances Tiafoe vomited on court but came back to beat Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (2), 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-3 and book a place in the second round the Australian Open.

High heat and humidity in Melbourne, coupled with the number 17 seed’s own fitness problems, took a toll on Tiafoe when he was brought into a decider.

At 5-2 in the fourth set, the American star was unable to finish on serve and raised eyebrows when he walked to the edge of the court during the match.

However, it quickly became clear that Tiafoe needed a break as he walked to the sideline and vomited after also leaving a mark on the pitch at the baseline.

He grabbed a trash bag and vomited some more into it before returning to the field, despite spectators in the 1573 Arena being informed that a delay of game would be necessary to remove the marking.

“Regardless of whether he was in or out, he doesn’t move (well),” Chris McKendry said in commentary for ESPN. “I don’t know if there’s something wrong with him…”

James Blake added: “Rennae Stubbs is on the sidelines and obviously Rennae, Frances is sick on the pitch, now off the pitch too.”

Stubbs explained: “Yes, listen, we know how hot it can get in Australia and it certainly is hot, but the conditions are not terrible.

“But he just threw up on the pitch so it’s terrible for him. I don’t know James, sometimes it can help, sometimes it won’t be easy for him to get out.”

In the commentary booth they joked that Tiafoe could have vomited on the court rather than in a trash can, giving himself a short break while the vomit was cleaned up before returning to win the deciding set.

In the fifth set he kept the points as short as possible by using the serve and volley before breaking Rinderknech twice to secure a place in the next round.

“Losing the game there, 5-3, brought it back to two and couldn’t convert,” Tiafoe told ESPN. “Obviously tired, but I feel good. Then take the line and vomit. I have a few stomach cramps and then I cramp everywhere.

“He plays a pretty good breaker. At any other tournament I would have withdrawn, but it’s a slam. I am in the second part of my career and these are the tournaments that are closest to my heart. Whatever it takes.

“I really relaxed. At 5-3 I just didn’t care at all. I thought he would hold out. Made some good points. It was a bit tight there, I was lucky. This is a big victory.”