Sweltering heat and muggy humidity claimed another casualty today.
A dazed and disorientated Jack Sock, stricken by heat illness and cramps, sat slumped on the Grandstand Court with an ice towel on his head and wrapped around his neck, forced to retire from his second-round match against Ruben Bemelmans while holding a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 1-2 lead.
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Sock began cramping on serve. Clutching at his leg, Sock was in clear agony standing motionless near the baseline as he tried to continue.
The 28th-seeded American incurred a point penalty to lose the game. Medical staff came out almost immediately to try to treat Sock, who had to be helped to the court where he sat for a while.
A wheelchair was brought out on Grandstand, but Sock, who looked a bit unsteady on his feet when he finally rose, refused it and was helped off the court.
"Playing in the US Open is the biggest and most important moment of the season for me, so having to retire from my match today is extremely disappointing," Sock said in a statement released hours later. "I want to thank everyone for their support and can't wait to be back next year. I feel better already and look forward to playing Davis Cup."
A Grand Slam-record 10 US Open men's first-round matches ended in retirement. Oppressive conditions are particularly challenging on the outer courts, which do not have the covering of the roof in construction that partially covers Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Improved fitness helped Sock capture his first career ATP title in Houston in April. The American plays a physical brand of tennis running around his backhand to crack his heavy forehand. Dominant through two sets, Sock's body betrayed him in the heat today.
"I gave it my all. I kept on fighting to the end," said Bemelmans, who suffered a straight-sets loss to Sock in Washington, DC last month. "Too bad he was cramping because he was playing really well the first two sets. I know the feeling because I cramped in Davis Cup. It's not a nice feeling."
Photo credit: US Open/USTA