Carlos Alcaraz was seen vomiting into his towel before the deciding set of his US Open epic against Ben Shelton, which finished at 3.33am in New York.
Five-set classic decided in early hours
The defending champion was undone by the home favourite, who claimed a 6-7 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 victory in a match that lasted four hours and 28 minutes. After the Spaniard won the fourth set, taking it to a decider, he was seen being sick into his towel.
Alcaraz cut an exhausted figure in the early hours of the morning and covered his face as he vomited. It didn't impact on his performance as he produced some stunning tennis, before eventually coming up short in a fifth set tiebreak.
Shelton's breakthrough win
Alcaraz's main rival, Jannik Sinner, is missing at Flushing Meadows and the Spaniard was tipped by many to defend his crown in New York, but left the court to huge applause in the early hours of the morning.
The match marked Shelton's first career win over a top-three player, against which he had been 0-17 coming into the match, but he will now be among the favourites to win the US Open. He will play Frances Tiafoe in the semi-final, meaning America will have a men's Grand Slam finalist for the first time since 2002.
Shelton hails New York crowd
Shelton hailed the home crowd for getting him through the contest - before joking that he hopes those in his corner won't have to prepare for their working day in a matter of hours.
He said: "For me it's always about the people in the crowd, whether it's my coaches, team or friends and family, or the city of New York that showed up tonight until 3am with the USA chants, that's what kept me going and what got me this win.
"It's incredible. This is the greatest sports city and greatest stadium in the world. I'm hoping my best friend and sister don't have to be at work at 6am. I'm so grateful, so blessed to be in front of you guys and share the court with Carlos is an absolute honour."
Latest finishes in US Open history
Alcaraz has now played in the two latest finishes in US Open history. Four years ago in 2022 he beat Jannik Sinner with their contest eventually finishing at 2:50am en route to him winning his first Grand Slam.
Finishes of this type owe to games starting late at night. Shelton and Alcaraz began at 11pm, but such scenarios are impossible at Wimbledon with Merton council imposing an 11pm curfew for matches played under the lights on the main courts. An Andy Murray win in 2012 finished at 11.02pm and remains the latest game ever at SW19.
