Altug Celikbilek, a promising Turkish tennis player, faced a shocking health crisis during the ATP M25 Monastir tournament in Tunisia. Competing in the semi-finals against Yanki Erel, Altug suddenly fell ill and could not continue the match. This alarming incident left spectators and fellow athletes in disbelief. The medical team quickly intervened, rushing him to the hospital for urgent evaluation.

Reports indicate that the 28-year-old player suffered a brain hemorrhage, a serious condition characterized by bleeding in or around the brain. The Turkish Tennis Federation confirmed that he is under close medical supervision. They stated, “The health condition of our national athlete Altug Celikbilek, who fell ill during a match at the M15 Monastir tournament held in Tunisia, is being closely monitored by our Federation and the Tunisian Embassy, and all necessary support is being provided to our athlete and his family. We wish our athlete a speedy recovery and respectfully announce it to the tennis community.”

Despite not winning any titles this season and sitting at a ranking of 451, Altug Celikbilek has made impressive strides in his tennis career since debuting at 18. He has established himself as a key player in Turkish tennis, capturing two Challenger titles in 2021 in Porto and Pozoblanco, becoming the first player from Türkiye to win multiple titles in the same season.

In 2021, he also reached a career-high ranking of No. 140. Celikbilek made headlines during his ATP Tour main draw debut in 2019 when he defeated former World No. 10 Ernests Gulbis in Antalya, showcasing his potential and determination on the international stage. As Altug prepares for surgery, this incident raises awareness about the health risks athletes face during intense competition.

Earlier this year, the Japanese tennis star Yoshihito Nishioka also collapsed on the court during the US Open.

Nishioka collapsed during mid-match against Miomir Kecmanovic

In August 2024, during the first round at the U.S. Open, Japanese star Yoshihito Nishioka faced a serious health scare against Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. As temperatures soared into the mid-80s at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Nishioka suddenly collapsed near the baseline in the fifth set, visibly in pain. Medical personnel rushed to his aid and provided water and treatment as he struggled with severe cramping. Ultimately, he required a wheelchair to leave the court and retire from the match, allowing Kecmanovic to advance to the second round.

Nishioka later revealed that he had been battling cramps since the fourth set and experiencing multiple spasms that affected his breathing and mobility. In a heartfelt message on X, he explained, “I was already feeling cramps around 3-3 in the 4th set, and my serve at 5-4 (there) was already cramping. In the final (game), my lower back was more convulsive than my legs, and I couldn’t stand up, and then my legs also convulsed. I was having repeated spasms in my shoulder blades, hips, flanks, and thighs.” He expressed gratitude for the support he received during the ordeal and confirmed his intention to skip doubles. He later returned to Japan for further recovery.

Nishioka entered the match ranked No. 53 in the world and showed resilience after losing the first set, but unfortunately it didn’t end well. Reflecting on his performance, he added, “It’s a shame that it ended so badly and we looked like we could have won the match, but this American (hard-court) season we rose in the rankings and there were many moments that gave us confidence, so we will continue to do our best in the Asian season.”

The physical well-being of the players remains of utmost importance, as they look to put in their 100% every time they make their way to the court. Let’s hope Altug Celikbilek makes a fast recovery and bounces back.