Konta: "I've had all the heart tests I could have possibly have and my heart is absolutely fine"
Tuesday 11 August 2020 11:30, UK
Britain's Johanna Konta needed medical help just 10 minutes into her return to action on her way to defeat to Marie Bouzkova at the Lexington Open in Kentucky after suffering from heart palpitations.
Having held serve in the first game, the world No 15 halted proceedings two points into the second.
Hunched over her racket, Konta appeared to be breathing heavily and her face was flushed, probably as a consequence of the extreme humidity as well as returning to competitive action after five months.
After having her blood pressure and pulse checked and consulting the doctor, Konta was able to return to the court.
The 29-year-old has suffered similar issues in the past, notably at the 2016 US Open and at the Fed Cup last year but in both instances she recovered to win the matches.
This time she battled on to 3-3 before rising Czech star Bouzkova, 22, secured the first break of the match and took the opening set.
Konta, beaten by the same opponent in her last match before lockdown, secured a break early in the second before immediately dropping serve with a second Bouzkova break securing a 6-4 6-4 victory.
I am not worried about it, it is not ideal and we are going to monitor it and see what other protocols we can take to measure it when it happens. I am not worried.
Konta said: "I'm fine, I sometimes have a heart palpitation and basically my heart rate shoots up for no reason," she said. "We didn't have a long point or I wasn't gassing in anyway in terms of lungs.
"My heart rate goes up and it doesn't go down, it stays there and it makes me light-headed and I just needed to see the doctor and physio to see where it was at, it was very, very high when they came out and then it is just a management thing.
"I think it has happened maybe four times, but it has happened twice in the last three months.
"It is something that we are keeping an eye on, I've had to have the heart checks and there is nothing wrong, I am fit as a fiddle, it is one of those things that can happen and I am susceptible for it to happen and it took a while for it to settle down.
"This is the fourth time it has ever happened, the first time was in Birmingham in 2017, the second time was in Beijing in 2018 and the third time was in practice at home in London.
"I wouldn't stay there is a massive common denominator, it has been under stressful situations, under no stress situations. We don't know to be honest, it is one of those things you need to catch in the moment and record in the moment.
"I've had all the heart tests I could have possibly have and my heart is absolutely fine.
"So I am not worried about it, it is not ideal and we are going to monitor it and see what other protocols we can take to measure it when it happens. I am not worried."
Elsewhere, American Jennifer Brady comfortably beat Britain's Heather Watson 6-2 6-1,Tunisia's Ons Jabeur went 6-2 6-4 over Catherine Mcnally and sixth seed Magda Linette of Poland defeated American Lauren Davis 6-2 6-3.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka downed Madison Brengle of the US 6-1 7-6 6-2 while fellow American Jessica Pegula beat Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-1 7-5 6-4.
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