Australian Open star breaks down in tears and quits after struggling to walk
Terence Atmane sobbed as he quit his Australian Open first-round match after being unable to walk or serve properly.
Australian Open qualifier Terence Atmane broke down in tears as he was forced to quit mid-match while facing Daniil Medvedev. The 22-year-old was playing in his first Grand Slam main draw match and even took a set from the No. 3 seed before severe cramps set in and left him unable to walk.
Atmane’s dream debut came to a distressing end when he struggled to walk or serve towards the end of his first-round match, calling the physio and smashing his racket in frustration. The Frenchman finally gave up at the beginning of the fourth set, collapsing over the net as he retired from the match before retreating to his bench and sobbing.
The world No. 144 came through qualifying to reach the first Grand Slam main draw of his young career and received a tough draw in two-time finalist Medvedev. But it looked like an upset could be brewing when Atmane took the first set 7-5 after the third seed served for it, winning the last three games in a row.
The Frenchman started to struggle during the second set, however, as Medvedev stormed through to take it 6-2. And the cramps became unbearable for Atmane in the third set as he could barely walk, throwing in underarm serves and yelping in pain as he stepped up to the baseline during one game.
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He continued to struggle through the third set, which was won by Medvedev, but decided to call it quits less than two games into the fourth as he sent a ball long. Atmane approached the net and slumped over it as the cramps forced him to retire with the Russian leading 5-7 6-2 6-4 1-0.
Medvedev showed his class as he comforted the 22-year-old and consoled him in French but Atmane was devastated to end his first Grand Slam with a retirement and went to his bench, putting his head in his hands and sobbing. The world No. 3 later admitted that the heat also got to him as he felt tired before Atmane started cramping.
“Here I think what is tough is that the conditions itself were kind of not the toughest I have ever played in, but since one week we didn't really have hot days,” the 2021 US Open winner explained. “I think one day was a little bit hot, but then when you practice, you get, what, two hours maximum. We had a one hour, 30 practice. You don't have the nerves.”
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Addressing Atmane’s debut, he continued: “So here first match for me. I mean, he's not used to Grand Slams also yet, so a lot of nerves. The heat is there. So physically it's not easy I think. Every match I saw was looking some guys are better, some guys are worse, but it's tough for everyone.
“So I'm happy that I managed to be stronger physically because it was not easy at one moment. At this moment he started cramping. I was, like, okay, it's not easy for him also. Just have to stay in there and happy to go through.”
And Medvedev thought that the match could have taken a different turn had he shown his opponent that he was also struggling. He added: “I think in general it's always better not to show it because, again, as I say, maybe five minutes before he cramped, I start showing him that I'm tired or something like this, maybe he wouldn't cramp. Who knows? Mind can be really strong and crazy and tricky sometimes.”