Emma Raducanu suffered a concerning health scare during her Miami Open quarter-final match against Jessica Pegula on Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old British tennis star complained of feeling "dizzy and faint" during the second set, prompting a medical timeout.
Raducanu struggled with overheating in the humid Florida conditions, requiring medical attention before continuing the match.
Despite rallying to force a deciding set, Raducanu ultimately lost to Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2, ending her impressive run in Miami.
Emma Raducanu needed medical treatment during her Miami Open defeat to Jessica PegulaREUTERSThe medical intervention was significant, with a doctor rushing to the court to apply ice towels and blocks of ice to Raducanu's skin to lower her body temperature.
Medical staff also took her blood pressure, underlining the severity of the situation.
Speaking after her defeat, Raducanu admitted uncertainty about the cause but acknowledged the challenging conditions.
"I just felt really dizzy. I felt faint. It was very humid out there and we have a long wait, so maybe just an accumulation [of things]," she explained.
Daniel Herman, a fitness expert with 28 years of experience working with elite athletes, believes dehydration was likely the cause of Raducanu's issues.
"It's quite a common event for players playing at the Miami event to come across quite dizzy. This is really a result of dehydration," Herman told Express Sport.
"In a sport like tennis, where matches can go on for a long time without significant breaks, it's easier for the body to get overheated."
The founder of Bio Synergy has previously worked with David Coulthard and James Cracknell.
Herman raised questions about Raducanu's team's preparation for the Miami conditions.
"From my experience working with athletes, the first thing is acclimatisation. Could Emma have got out to Miami earlier to acclimatise to the weather?" he questioned.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu delivers health update after tennis star felt 'dizzy and faint' in Miami Open defeat
Emma Raducanu has admitted she felt dizzy and faint in her Miami Open defeat to Jessica Pegula in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the Briton's sensational run at the tournament now overREUTERSHe suggested her team should have considered "the change in temperature and climate in terms of her hydration strategy."
Herman noted that dizziness in athletes typically results from dehydration, recommending isotonic or electrolyte drinks to maintain balance.
He also pointed out that Raducanu's previous illness could have "exacerbated it further."
Herman also expressed concern about the demanding schedules faced by tennis players.
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Tim Henman reacts to Emma Raducanu's quarter final exit in Miami ❌ pic.twitter.com/z6eqMdeIlP
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"All elite athletes are under immense pressure to perform all the time, and often during a season or during matches, they don't get enough recovery time," he said.
Raducanu played four matches over just six days in Miami before her exit, which is particularly challenging given her injury history.
"Overtraining or overplaying can be a detriment in the long-term," Herman warned.
Recovery time, he emphasised, is "absolutely key to optimum performance" for elite athletes.
