Ekaterina Alexandrova taken off court in wheelchair after heat-related collapse at Memphis Classic
WTA
The heat got to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Memphis Classic first round tie. She collapsed on court and was forced to retire against 16-year-old Kristina Liutova at 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 5-4 due to scorching temperatures.
The Russian was the big favourite to win this tournament with other notable names opting to compete in other events, but her ambitions were swiftly halted as she succumbed a grizzly end in a match where temperatures reached 34C.
The match started badly. Alexandrova broke back as her fellow Russian attempted to serve out the first set, but was powerless in the tiebreak, losing it 7-2. She battled back in what was supposed to be a routine first round tie for the much more experienced player.
She broke late in the second set to get back on level terms and steal the initiative. However, her title ambitions would quickly derail in the turbulent southwest Tennessee climate.
Alexandrova taken off court on wheelchair following collapse
The first signs of something wrong occurred when Alexandrova struggled to serve, receiving a time violation for her troubles. They would quickly escalate as the 31-year-old fell to the ground halfway through the next point.
Immediate medical attention was necessary as concern grew. The match had already lasted over three hours thanks to the drawn out sets, and it was really getting to the number one seed.
She was able to stand but in no condition to continue, ending her campaign and putting Liutova into the second round on her WTA Tour debut.
She burst into tears upon the news being confirmed, defeating a top 20 player at the first time of asking. However, it was also a distressing and chaotic situation for her as the emotions quickly sunk in. She is just the second player born in 2010 to win a WTA Tour match, and will now have a keen eye on the rest of this tournament.
Situación increíble.
— Isidoro ✏️ (@Isidorobvazquez) July 28, 2026
Mientras Alexandrova estaba al borde de retirarse del partido, Kristina Liutova (229°) y que tan solo tiene 16 AÑOS, rompe en llanto.
Luitova sacaba para partido cuando Alexandrova se retiró.
Ganó 25 de sus 29 partidos que jugó.pic.twitter.com/t1xP80vVta
Alexandrova was the number one seed for the tournament with no one else ranked above world number 45. This has opened the door for someone to take a surprise title. Liutova would have gained so much confidence from that win, and will now take on Maya Joint who herself is not in great form.
The other familiar names in the draw include Caty McNally, Peyton Stearns, Zeynep Sonmez and former Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens. McCartney Kessler and Viktorija Golubic, the number two and three seeds, also departed in the first round.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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