Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Panic attack derails former champion Halep at French Open

'Panic attack': Simona Halep on her way to defeat against China's Zheng Qinwen. ©AFP

Paris (AFP) - Former champion Simona Halep revealed she suffered a panic attack in her French Open defeat to China's Zheng Qinwen on Thursday.

The distressed 19th-seeded Romanian slumped in her chair at the end of the first set and required the attention of the doctor.

"It was just a panic attack.I didn't know how to handle it, because I don't have it often," said the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon winner.

"I was leading the match.I was playing well.I lost it.I couldn't focus. 

"After the match, it was pretty tough.But now I'm good.I'm recovered, and I will learn from this episode.Nothing dangerous.The doctors checked everything.Everything was perfect."

Zheng, just 19 and making her Paris debut, triumphed 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 and will face either 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko or France's Alize Cornet for a place in the last 16.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.