Tennis star collapses to ground and surrounded by paramedics after playing two matches in one day with nasty illness

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TENNIS star Peyton Stearns required medical treatment behind the scenes after having two play two matches in one day.

The American, 23, was in action at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

A tennis player lying on the floor receiving medical attention.

Peyton Stearns posted a worrying image on social media[/caption]

Peyton Stearns of the US playing tennis.

The American, 23, had been in action twice in one day[/caption]

This week’s schedule has been disrupted by rain delays.

Astonishingly, the delays led to Stearns being down to play THREE times yesterday.

The former NCAA champion began her eventful day by beating seventh seed Zheng Qinwen 3-6 6-4 6-4 in a gruelling two hour and 35 minute battle.

Due to the tight schedule, Stearns had to take to the court again barely two and a half hours later.

She was subsequently beaten 6-1 6-1 by 17-year-old starlet Mirra Andreeva, having emptied the tank against Zheng.

Stearns had also been due to be in doubles action alongside partner Lulu Sun, with the duo scheduled to face top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.

But the second round contest was axed, as Stearns suffered physically in the 30 degree heat.

The world No.46 withdrew from her doubles match and subsequently posted a worrying picture of herself laid out on her back in clear discomfort, receiving treatment from two paramedics.

She captioned the snap: “Highly don’t recommend having a GI (gastrointestinal) illness & playing 2 matches in a day… not a good combo.”

Stearns had been enjoying a productive week, beating Zheng and Ons Jabeur in singles and winning a round in the doubles with Sun.

She is scheduled to be back in action in Austin, Texas next week.

Elsewhere in Dubai, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka‘s recent slump continued as she lost 6-3 6-2 to Clara Tauson in the third round.

While world No.3 Coco Gauff was dumped out in round two after surprisingly losing 6-4 7-5 to American compatriot McCartner Kessler.

Emma Raducanu ended her four-match losing streak by beating former world No.3 Maria Sakkari in round one.

She was subsequently beaten by Karolina Muchova, in a match overshadowed by a “fixated man” being ejected from the stands as a tearful Raducanu walked to the umpire’s chair.