Emma Raducanu revealed a stomach bug derailed her chances of beating Wang Yafan in the second round of the Australian Open.
The Brit lost 6-4 4-6 6-4 to her Chinese opponent and was visibly unwell on the court in the latter stages of the tense three-setter.
It was only the 2021 US Open champion’s fourth match since returning from wrist and ankle injuries that had kept her out for eight months but she felt no other discomfort.
Raducanu, 21, said: “Physically, body-wise, I felt fine.
“All of a sudden I just felt so sick, really weak and nauseous. Throughout the third set, I think everyone could see it was a bit of a battle.
“It was more I was throwing up in my mouth. Then after the match, it came out.
“Now I’m OK. I’ll get over it. It just sucks with the timing. I was actually feeling good about my tennis.”
Raducanu continued to battle to the end, providing optimism ahead of a year in which she aims to rediscover the levels that propelled her to that stunning victory at Flushing Meadows.
And she has identified areas of her game that must improve if she is to add to that triumph.
She said: “I think tidying up a bit of technique and just getting used to playing matches outdoors.
“I need to spend more time on tour, spend more time training and putting good weeks together.
“Everything I went through last year has made me so much tougher. I’m feeling very positive.”
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