Joao Fonseca throws up on court as Brazilian wonderkid falls ill at US Open

There were worrying scenes on the Grandstand arena when Joao Fonseca suddenly called the physio to the court, and then threw up a few minutes later. The Brazilian teenager led Miomir Kecmanovic by two sets to love, and was level at 3-3 in the first set when the trainers was called out, even though it wasn't a changeover.

Fonseca had a brief chat with them before resuming the match. But just three points into Kecmanovic's service game, he rushed to the side of the court and was heard saying he needed to "vomit". Cameras cut away while he threw up in a bin.

The 19-year-old appeared to be given medication when the physio came out in between games during set three. The umpire announced there would be a three-minute medical timeout, but Fonseca got back up and continued playing after a few seconds.

He seemed to be planning to take the full timeout at the next changeover. But while leading 15-30 on Kecmanovic's serve, his body suddenly gave in. The world No. 45 ran to the side of the court and needed to be sick.

He doubled over by a drinks fridge. It seemed to be a false alarm, as he started walking back to the court. However, he quickly rushed back and leaned into a bin to throw up while cameras cut to Kecmanovic, who was waiting to serve.

The trainers were seen waiting courtside, but Fonseca marched straight back to the baseline to continue playing. It seemed to be exactly what he needed, and he didn't lose another game.

Kecmanovic won the next point, but Fonseca went on to break. The trainers never returned at the next changeover, and the teenager served out a 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 6-3 victory to record his first main draw win at the US Open.

Afterwards, he told the crowd that he suddenly felt unwell and threw up water. "First round is always a bit more tense and today I felt a bit more sick in the third set. I didn't know what happened. I just threw up water. Sorry about that guys, I apologise," Fonseca said.

"But thanks a lot for the support today, it means a lot to have the Brazilian flag with me here, so thanks a lot all the Brazilians, all the people that support me. I mean, it's just a pleasure. I think all the kids, when they play tennis, they want to become, I don't know, famous.

"And supporting their country, representing their country. It's a dream, just doing what I love and having all the support from all the Brazilians, a country that I love. It's really an honour and I'm going to keep living this dream."

Fonseca only celebrated his 19th birthday four days ago, but he's already become one of the most promising young players on the tour. He started the year by upsetting Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, and then lifted the trophy in Argentina a few weeks later.

"It's my first year playing all these big tournaments and my first time playing the main draw of the US Open. I'm just loving the career on tour so I'm just very happy playing each tournaments, finding out new countries, new places and new tournaments," he added.

"I'm just enjoying a lot. I know it's a lot of expectations, a lot of pressure at 19 years old but I love this. I love doing what I love."

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