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JUST IN: Taylor Swift says Simone Biles made her interested in women in sports. “She’s a strong woman, and what she does always feels like magic to me. She’s a legend, and I celebrate her.”

Last month, Simone Biles delivered an epic floor routine at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials—complete with Taylor Swift-inspired choreography and a stunning triple-double. And now, at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the proud Swiftie is paying yet another subtle tribute to the pop star.

In case you missed it, the 27-year-old athlete executed a near-flawless routine on the uneven bars during the qualifying round for the women’s team gymnastics, despite suffering a minor calf injury during her warmups. But as much as I admired her resilience and impressive skills, there was something else that caught my eye after she completed her final event.

Per usual, the proud athlete waved to the crowds and embraced fellow teammates on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, but she also made a familiar heart-hand gesture—one that’s become quite common for Swift and her loyal fans.

The classic hand-heart gesture was popularized by Swift in 2011, when she first tested it out with a live audience at one of her first shows. She told the New York Times, “I was an unknown act playing shows night after night, and I was constantly trying out all kinds of different moves to try and get a response from the audience.”

Fortunately, showing the heart symbol prompted fans to copy the gesture. And now, more than a decade later, it’s being done by major athletes, musicians and even royals, including Kate Middleton.

Biles’s subtle nod to Swift comes as no surprise, given how the pair has publicly supported one another in the past. In fact, this past June, Swift praised Biles’s impressive floor routine, which was set to her song, “…Ready For It?” She tweeted, “Watched this so many times and still unready. She’s ready for it tho”

Considering Biles’s spot-on performances so far, I couldn’t agree more. She delivered a solid performance on the balance beam, which earned her a 14.733. Then, she put on quite the show for her dazzling floor exercise (14.666), followed by her trademark Yurchenko double pike on the vault (15.300). Finally, she stole the show with her spectacular routine on the uneven bars, scoring 14.433 and pushing her team to the lead during qualifications.

 

Biles and her team are set to compete once again on Tuesday, July 30. And something tells me this won’t be the last time I see Biles pulling a Taylor Swift.

Charles Barkley revealed that he will be staying with TNT Sports for the remainder of his 10-year contract just several weeks after announcing his retirement.

Charles Barkley is sticking with TNT Sports (Image: Getty)

Charles Barkley is staying put at TNT Sports despite previously suggesting otherwise. On Tuesday, the 61-year-old revealed that he’d be sticking with the network through the remainder of his 10-year contract – less than two months after announcing his impending retirement from TV.

During the NBA Finals back in June, Barkley stated that the 2024-25 season would be the last one he covers on TV, regardless of whether or not TNT retained the league’s television rights. According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, he inked a 10-year deal worth $210 million with the division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in 2022.

Since making the retirement declaration, however, it seems as though Barkley has had a change of heart. “I love my TNT Sports family,” he said in a statement. “My #1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible.

“We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and new ones we develop together in the future.

Charles Barkley previously said he’d be retiring after the 2024-25 NBA season (Image: Getty)

“This is the only place for me. I have to say… I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about. I appreciate them and all of my colleagues for their continued support, and most importantly our fans. I’m going to give my all as we keep them entertained for years to come.”

Last month, WBD sued the NBA in a New York state court, alleging it didn’t uphold a “matching rights” provision present in their latest contractual agreement. TNT has expressed a desire to match Amazon’s package in the league’s new media rights deal that spans 11 years.

Charles Barkley joined TNT in 2000 (Image: Getty)

Before Barkley pledged his loyalty to TNT, ESPN, NBC and Amazon were all expected to pursue him once the network officially loses its NBA television package.

“Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television. I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles’ one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future,” TNT Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a statement.

“We continue to add to the breadth and depth of our sports portfolio – including new properties in the College Football Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST college basketball, Mountain West football, among others – and it’s fantastic to have Charles for this journey as we develop new content ideas and shows for our fans.”

Barkley joined TNT back in 2000 and has played an integral role on the Emmy Award-winning studio show “Inside the NBA”. Back in May, he received his fifth Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Analyst.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese continues to tease fans as to who she is currently dating, but a recent video of her in a Pistons hoodie answers some questions.

Angel Reese subtly hinted that she’s dating Pistons center Jalen Duren (Image: Getty Images)

Chicago Sky star forward Angel Reese’s trail of breadcrumbs over who her mysterious boyfriend is seems to be nearing its conclusion.

Many fans are convinced Reese is dating Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren after the WNBA All-Star posted a video of her donning a Pistons hoodie on Thursday.

This is far from the first clue Reese has given into who her boyfriend could be. On July 30th, the pair both posted nearly identical videos on their Instagram stories.

During an August 5th Instagram live video, Reese was seen brushing her messy hair and complaining about how it looks in the morning. “Where’d you wake up” someone shouted off camera, to which Reese replied, “Shut up.”

On August 21st, Reese took to X and said “Every city hates to see us! And my man hates you cause you always in my businesssss.” This was in response to a tweet about shopping on Michigan Ave, conveniently located in Detroit.

Jalen Duren is emerging young talent for the Detroit Pistons (Image: Getty)

The final clue before the hoodie video came just days ago when Reese commented on former teammate (and girlfriend to Jaylen Brown) Kysre Gondrezick’s Instagram post.

“We love our J’s,” she commented. Brown and his Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum are often referred to by their nickname: the two Js.

Reese’s video in the Pistons hoodie was the cherry on top of the rumors linking her to Duren. It wouldn’t be a shock for the pair to confirm the relationship in the coming weeks.

The news comes as Reese is in the heart of a busy week, both on and off the court. She officially announced her partnership with cereal brand “Reece’s Pieces” on Wednesday.

The Chicago Sky also announced they will be having a Barbie Night on August 30 celebrating women in sports in partnership with Mattel. Reese is known as the “Bayou Barbie” in homage to her Louisana roots.

The Sky have gone 1-2 in their return to action following the WNBA’s Olympic break and are clinging on to the league’s final playoff spot.

Reese poured in 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in Sunday’s 86-68 defeat against the Phoenix Mercury. The Sky will continue their playoff charge against the Connecticut Sun on Friday, August 23.

 

Taylor Swift fans raise over $140k for Kamala Harris despite her not endorsing yet

Despite missing an endorsement from Taylor Swift, Swifties have already raised over $140k for the Kamala Harris’ campaign.

Taylor Swift fans have already raised nearly 150k for the Kamala Harris campaign. (Image: Getty)

In a star-studded Zoom rally, Swifties for Kamala has raised nearly $140,000 for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign despite no official endorsement from Taylor Swift.

However, Taylor is rumored to be endorsing closer to the time, with sources saying the hit singer is hoping for a “strong women” as President. 

The virtual event, held on Tuesday, drew in more than 26,000 participants and featured big names like Elizabeth Warren, who recently humiliated Trump, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Carole King.

King, who proudly dubbed herself the “original cat lady,” kicked off her speech by calling Taylor Swift “my musical and songwriting granddaughter.”

While Taylor Swift wasn’t directly involved, her fanbase, the Swifties for Kamala Coalition, have been busy.

Since Joe Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris, they’ve gained a massive 250 million followers.

Taylor Swift has yet to officially endorse Vice President Harris despite fan calls. (Image: Getty)

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“We are not waiting on Taylor to show her support for Kamala Harris,” said the group’s social media manager, Rohan Reagan.

Instead, they’re using Swift’s platform to rally voters. King, after rapping the chorus to Swift’s “Shake It Off,” said: “I’m excited about Kamala because so many people are excited about Kamala… But this is about you. This call is about you.”

She also encouraged volunteering, sharing her own experience: “I’ve been a political activist for years… there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Taylor Swift is currently on the European leg of the Eras Tour as Harris takes the nomination. (Image: Getty)

Senator Elizabeth Warren got in on the action, picking her favorite Swift songs— the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” and “Karma”—before praising the Swifties for taking on Ticketmaster and summoning “the era of the first woman president.”

Warren said: “You are resilient and you know how to take on bullies… that is what the Kamala Harris campaign is all about.”

Although Swift hasn’t commented on the 2024 election, insiders say she’s thrilled about Harris nomination alongside her VP choice Tim Walz.

An inside source told The U.S. Sun: “Taylor got enthusiastic when Kamala Harris got named VP in 2020.”

“Now that Harris is running for president, Taylor is even more excited about the possibility of having Kamala Harris being the next president of the United States of America.”

Breaking Boundaries: How ‘Crazy in Love’ Revolutionized Beyoncé’s Music Career – Dereknews

Beyoncé, an icon of the music industry, has had a career filled with groundbreaking moments, but perhaps none as seismic as the release of “Crazy in Love.” This chart-topping single not only marked a departure from her Destiny’s Child days but also served as a catalyst for the evolution of her musical style. In this in-depth exploration, we’ll delve into the ways in which “Crazy in Love” shattered boundaries, forever altering the trajectory of Beyoncé’s career.

1. Genre-bending Brilliance

One of the most remarkable aspects of “Crazy in Love” is its genre-bending brilliance. Released in 2003, the track seamlessly blends R&B, hip-hop, and funk, showcasing Beyoncé’s extraordinary versatility. This ability to transcend genre limitations became a hallmark of her subsequent work. From the infectious pop vibes of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” to the sultry R&B tones of “Drunk in Love,” Beyoncé’s refusal to be confined by genre expectations has solidified her status as a musical chameleon.

The incorporation of diverse musical elements in “Crazy in Love” not only widened Beyoncé’s artistic range but also laid the foundation for the eclectic sound that would define her solo career. The song’s innovative fusion of styles set the stage for a new era in popular music, inspiring countless artists to experiment with genre boundaries.

2. Vocal Powerhouse Unleashed

If “Crazy in Love” can be described as a sonic revolution, then Beyoncé’s vocal performance is its driving force. The song pushed her vocal abilities to new and unprecedented heights. The powerful belts, the playful runs, and the sheer range on display became synonymous with Beyoncé’s artistry.

This vocal prowess wasn’t just a momentary peak but a lasting transformation. Beyoncé’s ability to convey emotion through her voice reached a level that resonated with audiences globally. Her influence extended beyond the realm of pop and R&B, inspiring a generation of singers across genres to strive for vocal excellence.

3. Fierce Confidence Redefined

The lyrics and choreography of “Crazy in Love” radiate an undeniable confidence and self-assuredness. This newfound boldness became a defining characteristic of Beyoncé’s persona, empowering both herself and her fans. The iconic “uh-oh” opening, paired with the infectious horn riff, signaled a declaration of independence and self-love.

The accompanying music video, featuring Beyoncé’s charismatic dance moves, further solidified her status as a force to be reckoned with. The confidence exuded in “Crazy in Love” set the stage for an empowered, self-aware Beyoncé who would go on to use her platform to champion issues of feminism, racial justice, and empowerment.

4. Global Appeal and Cultural Impact

“Crazy in Love” wasn’t just a hit – it was a global phenomenon. Topping charts worldwide, the song transcended cultural boundaries and captured the hearts of diverse audiences. This international success was a pivotal moment that elevated Beyoncé from a respected artist to a global superstar.

The track’s influence extended far beyond the music industry, permeating popular culture and fashion. Beyoncé’s distinctive fashion choices in the music video, from the iconic denim shorts to the unforgettable tank top, became style benchmarks for fans and fellow artists alike. The song’s impact on fashion and culture further solidified Beyoncé’s position as a trendsetter and cultural influencer.

5. Setting the Tone for ‘Dangerously in Love’

As the lead single off her debut solo album, “Dangerously in Love,” “Crazy in Love” set the tone for the entire record. The explosive energy and emotional depth of the track mirrored the thematic richness that would characterize the album. “Dangerously in Love” showcased Beyoncé’s ability to navigate a range of emotions, from the euphoria of newfound love to the vulnerability of heartbreak.

The critical acclaim and numerous awards that followed the release of “Dangerously in Love” marked the official coronation of Beyoncé as a solo artist. Her ability to seamlessly transition from the group dynamic of Destiny’s Child to a solo career highlighted her individual artistry, setting the stage for a solo journey that would be nothing short of iconic.

Beyond the Music: Cultural Resonance and Partnerships

“Crazy in Love” wasn’t just a musical triumph; it had far-reaching effects on the cultural landscape. The song sparked a resurgence of 70s funk and soul influences in pop music, influencing a new wave of artists who sought to infuse their work with timeless musical elements.

Additionally, the inclusion of Jay-Z in “Crazy in Love” marked a significant moment in both their personal and professional lives. The chemistry between the two artists was palpable, and it catapulted Jay-Z into the mainstream, further solidifying the power couple’s influence on the music industry.

The music video for “Crazy in Love” also played a crucial role in cementing the partnership between Beyoncé and her choreographer, Frank Gatson Jr. The dynamic dance sequences showcased in the video became iconic and set a new standard for visual storytelling in music videos. This collaboration laid the groundwork for future visually stunning projects, including Beyoncé’s groundbreaking visual albums.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in Beyoncé’s Career

In retrospect, “Crazy in Love” stands as a pivotal moment in Beyoncé’s illustrious career. It not only launched her into solo superstardom but also established her signature sound, powerful vocals, and fierce confidence. The song’s genre-bending brilliance, coupled with its global appeal and cultural impact, solidified Beyoncé’s status as an influential figure in music and popular culture.

As we continue to celebrate and revisit the magic of “Crazy in Love,” it becomes evident that this single was more than just a hit—it was a revolution. Beyoncé’s willingness to break boundaries and redefine her artistry has left an indelible mark on the music industry, inspiring generations to come. “Crazy in Love” is not just a song; it’s a testament to Beyoncé’s artistic evolution and her enduring impact on the world of music.

Tаylor Swіft аnd Beyonсé’ѕ Unрreсedented Frіendѕhір Steаlѕ the Sрotlіght аt Conсert Fіlm Premіere

Tаylor Swіft exрreѕѕed her deeр аdmіrаtіon for Beyonсé durіng the Loѕ Angeleѕ рremіere of The Erаѕ Tour сonсert fіlm.

In аn Inѕtаgrаm рoѕt, Swіft рrаіѕed Beyonсé аѕ her “guіdіng lіght” аnd сredіted her for teасhіng аrtіѕtѕ to breаk ruleѕ аnd defy іnduѕtry normѕ. The рoр ісonѕ were аll ѕmіleѕ аѕ they ѕhаred а box of Tаylor Swіft-themed рoрсorn durіng the movіe ѕсreenіng.

Beyonсé, freѕh from her Renаіѕѕаnсe World Tour, grасed the red саrрet іn а ѕtylіѕh blасk outfіt, whіle Swіft donned а ѕtunnіng ѕtrарleѕѕ blue Oѕсаr de lа Rentа gown.

Swіft’ѕ сonсert fіlm іѕ ѕet to releаѕe іn over 100 сountrіeѕ, рromіѕіng аn eleсtrіfyіng exрerіenсe for fаnѕ. Beyonсé аlѕo hаd her own сonсert fіlm, Renаіѕѕаnсe: A Fіlm by Beyonсé, doсumentіng her reсent tour. The two legendѕ hаve been reсognіzed for theіr reсord-breаkіng, hіgh-groѕѕіng tourѕ.

Durіng the рremіere, Swіft exрreѕѕed her love for the Erаѕ Tour аnd the іnсredіble teаm thаt mаde іt hаррen. The сonсert fіlm hаѕ аlreаdy асhіeved remаrkаble ѕuссeѕѕ wіth over $100 mіllіon іn аdvаnсe tісket ѕаleѕ revenue.

Swіft аnd Beyonсé’ѕ frіendѕhір hаѕ been evіdent over the yeаrѕ, from Grаmmy сelebrаtіonѕ to mutuаl ѕuррort. Reсently, the two рerformerѕ hаven’t been ѕрotted together, but theіr сute moment аt the рremіere wаѕ а сelebrаtіon of theіr unbreаkаble bond аnd ѕhаred love for muѕіс.

Breaking news : Taylor Swift drops a New song for boyfriend Travis Kelce ” Sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming, but then I realize it’s all real. Thank you for being mine!

One of Travis Kelce’s teammates, Jody Fortson, celebrated their team’s big win Sunday night by rocking out to some of Swift’s songs.

Fortson, who plays tight end alongside Kelce, posted a video of himself blasting Swift’s 2014 song “Bad Blood” while on his way home from the game.

In the clip on his Instagram Story, Fortson — who bundled up in a red Chiefs bomber jacket — sang along to the opening lyrics before yelling, “Let’s go!”

After the game, Kelce joined his pop star girlfriend as well as his family and friends in their VIP suite, where they were pictured sipping on bottles of Veuve Clicquot.

Kelce’s longtime friend Aric Jones shared a series of photos on Instagram of the afterparty, including a photo of Swift sticking out her tongue while next Kylie Kelce, who is married to Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce.

The two women seemed to be in great spirits as they partied it up at Highmark Stadium in New York — yet no one seemed to be having more fun than Jason.

The Philadelphia Eagles center, who tailgated with the Bills Mafia before the game, stole the show when he tore off his “Big Yeti” shirt to celebrate one of his younger brother’s touchdowns.

After Travis made it into the end zone, Jason, 36, ripped off his top and let out a bellow of excitement before jumping out of the window and into the crowd.

The dad of three, who held a beer in one hand, gave several fans high-fives before showing off his athleticism and jumping back into the box.

While his wife seemed unfazed by antics, Swift was visibly shocked by Jason’s shirtless celebration.

Jason’s daughter Elliotte — who seemingly stayed back in Philadelphia with Kylie’s parents — was equally caught off guard by her father’s celebration.

The soon-to-be-retired athlete posted a photo on X of the 2-year-old’s hilarious response after seeing him ditch his top on TV.

According to a text from someone named ‘Ma,’ presumably Kylie’s mother, “Ellie said ‘Dads boobs are showing!’”

Sunday marked the first time that Jason and Kylie have been seen hanging out with the “Anti-Hero” singer, who started dating Travis in July 2023.

Although Swift typically attends Travis’ games alongside his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, Jason has been preoccupied with his own football schedule over the last couple months.

However, his season — and potentially his career — came to an end last weekend with unconfirmed retirement rumors running rampant.

The mother of former Duke center Kyle Filipowski gave her side on how her son’s public relationship with an alleged “groomer” is impacting the family.

Kyle Filipowski (R) is trying not to let his personal life impact his rookie season (Image: Getty Images)

The mother of new Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski broke her silence on the situation of her estranged son’s alleged abusive relationship with his current fiancee.

In an interview with the Salt Lake City Tribune, Becky Filipowski said: “We didn’t ask for this. ESPN came out with that report and opened this up. We responded to that.”

“This has been an issue, painful for us for years before draft night. I’m seeing all these reports and they are speculating without doing any research. … Sometimes I wish we never spoke about it.”

Filipowski, a 2024 consensus Second-team All-American and First-team All-ACC selection at Duke, was widely expected to go in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft – potentially even the lottery.

However, reports surfaced about his relationship with now-fiancee Caitlin Hutchinson, who is seven years older than Fiipowski and started dating the Jazz center when he turned 18. She was a longtime family friend of the Filipowski family. He fell to Utah in the second round (32nd overall).

Filipowski was outplayed in the Elite Eight by NC State center DJ Burns (Image: Getty)

According to reports, Filipowski’s relationship with Hutchinson led him to be estranged from his family. His brother previously referenced Hutchinson used “coercive control” and elements of “grooming” to lure him in.

Filipowksi allegedly announced the estrangement to his family over email: “I did everything I could to convince you to support me and my choices, and you made the choice not to…. Because of the way you’ve treated me and how you continue to treat me, I don’t want you in my life. I wanted you to hear it from me.”

All of the attention had a damaging impact on Becky: “People are speculating without doing any research…Sometimes I wish we never spoke about it,” she said.

“It was like the dam gates had been opened. And almost three years worth of trying to sweep it under the rug, and trying to check him out of our lives [ended].”

“Then that happened, and it was like, ‘Oh my god. It’s out in the open.’ And just out of the nature that nobody is speaking the truth to power, that they are just speculating about all this —-.”

Filipowski didn’t help his draft stock with a poor 2024 NCAA Tournament, getting outplayed by the undersized DJ Burns and the No. 11 seed NC State in the Elite Eight. However, he’s a seven-foot stretch big who averaged over 16 points and eight rebounds a game in his two-year Duke career.

He recently signed a four-year, $12 million contract (first two years guaranteed) with the Jazz, who emphasized Filipowski’s family life had no impact on their decision to draft him.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy could barely watch as Caitlin Clark went down with an injury, putting his massive wager on the Indiana Fever in jeopardy.

Dave Portnoy expressed fear after Caitlin Clark went down with an injury (Image: X)

Dave Portnoy can breathe a sigh of relief after Caitlin Clark’s latest health scare proved to be non-serious. On Monday, the Barstool Sports founder watched in fear as the Fever rookie crumpled to the court with an ankle injury – momentarily putting his $100,000 bet on Indiana to win the WNBA title in serious jeopardy.

With 3:15 remaining in the first quarter of the Fever’s 84-79 win over the Atlanta Dream, Clark attempted to navigate around a screen when she appeared to turn her ankle. Upon planting awkwardly on her left foot, the 22-year-old immediately dropped to the hardwood and writhed in pain.

Several Fever players promptly surrounded Clark as she continued to grab at her left ankle and remain down for several moments. Team training staff additionally rushed to her aid and helped escort her to the bench, where she remained seated for the remainder of the first quarter.

Taking to social media moments after Clark went down, Portnoy shared a screen grab of her screaming in pain alongside the caption: “I cant breathe.” Once the star guard returned to action in the second quarter, however, he shared a video of his ecstatic reaction.

“Don’t worry, Caitlin’s back on the court,” Portnoy announced just as Clark drilled a 3-pointer on the TV screen behind him. She finished the night shooting 4-of-9 from behind the arc en route to tying Dream guard Rhyne Howard for the WNBA rookie record for most 3’s in a season with 85.

Caitlin Clark was able to return to Monday’s game following her injury scare (Image: Getty)

“Big win for the Fever,” Portnoy added following the final whistle. “Great game from Kelsey Mitchell. Caitlin played solid. Closing in on playoff birth.”

Speaking to reporters after the game, Clark revealed that she had no interest in going back to the locker room after her injury scare, instead opting for it to be re-taped. “I saw the replay, and I look really soft. It wasn’t that bad of a turn, but it hurt,” she said. “Sometimes you just need to give yourself a second. If you ever sprained your ankle, it just kind of stings for a little bit. I was good.

“You’re not a real basketball player if you haven’t sprained your ankles a bunch. That’s when you know.”

Clark ended with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 6-of-14 shooting from the field to help the Fever secure their third win in four tries since WNBA play resumed post-Olympic break. Indiana currently sits at 14-16, good for third place in the Eastern Conference Division.

Earlier this month, Portnoy placed a $100,000 wager that would net him $10 million should the Fever win the WNBA championship this season. Sharing a photo of the DraftKings bet slip on X, he wrote: “Caitlin Clark is a top 3 player in the league. Maybe the best. She got rest for the 1st time in a year. Aliyah Boston and her chemistry grows every game. They started 1-8. 10-7 since then and improving. I had to do it.”

Yoshihito Nishioka required treatment from medics on court after collapsing during his match with Miomir Kecmanovic.

Yoshihito Nishioka retired after falling unwell during his U.S. Open match with Miomir Kecmanovic

Yoshihito Nishioka was forced to pull out of his U.S. Open match against Miomir Kecmanovic after collapsing to the ground in scary scenes in New York.

The Japanese player could be seen receiving treatment from medics after becoming unwell during the fifth set of their match.

While Nishioka lay down on the ground, his opponent Kecmanovic showed his obvious concern by sitting down next to the 28-year-old and checking on his wellbeing.

With the score left at 6-7, 6-2, 7-5. 5-7, 0-1 in Kecmanovic’s favor, Nishioka stopped on the court and slumped to the ground in apparent agony.

Yoshihito Nishioka was forced to retire in the fifth set (Image: Getty)

Medics quickly rushed to his aid and the situation turned serious with every minute that passed as Nishioka lay motionless on the floor.

He was eventually taken away in a wheelchair after being forced to retire from the match, giving Kecmanovic the victory. But the Serbian was more concerned for his opponent, bringing him water as he sat with him while he underwent treatment.

Nishioka later sent a message out on social media apologizing for making his fans feel worried and explained why he suddenly felt unable to continue.

“Thank you for all your support. I apologize for worrying you. I was already feeling cramps around the 33rd point of the 4th set, and I was already cramping when I served at 5-4,” Nishioka wrote on X.

“In the final [set], my waist started to spasm more than my legs, and I couldn’t stand up. Then my legs started to spasm too. Then my shoulder blades, both hips, sides, and thighs started to spasm repeatedly.”

Nishioka also raised concerns about the support from the officials after his request for a stretcher fell on deaf ears. Instead, he was taken away in a wheelchair while he was having “convulsions.”

Miomir Kecmanovic stayed sat beside Yoshihito Nishioka (Image: Getty)

“I started having difficulty breathing, but with the support of my team, I was put into a wheelchair [I asked for a stretcher but it didn’t come] and carried away while still having convulsions,” he explained.

“The convulsions didn’t stop for about an hour, but I’m feeling better now. My body parts are hurting a lot, so I’m going to skip the doubles and go back to Japan.”

While Nishioka will head home for some rest, Kecmanovic can look forward to a second-round match-up against 18th seed Lorenzo Musetti at Flushing Meadows.