Positive update after tennis player collapses on court and suffers a brain haemorrhage
The tennis world is in shock after Turkish player Altug Celikbilek collapsed on court and suffered a brain haemorrhage while playing on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
While playing at the M15 Monastir tournament, Celikbilek collapsed one game into his semi-final against compatriot Yanki Erel and it quickly became evident that there was a major medical emergency occurring for the 28-year-old.
The Turkish Tennis Federation released a statement regarding his condition, as they confirmed he was in a stable condition.
“The health condition of our national athlete Altug Celikbilek, who fell ill during a match at the M15 Monastir tournament held in Tunisia, is being closely monitored by our Federation and the Tunisian Embassy,” read the statement.
“All necessary support is being provided to our athlete and his family. We wish our athlete a speedy recovery.”
Former Turkish professional player Ipek Senoglu, who won 21 titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour, posted a message of support for Celikbilek on her social media account.
“Send your prayers and energy to Altug Celikbilek,” she wrote.
“He underwent surgery after the brain haemorrhage he had in the past and the scan came back clean, but it is critical how he will wake up now. Enka, his family and friends are with him.
“Come on, you piece of a lion, wake up like a lion so that we can be at ease, my son.”
Erel went on to win the tournament after he watched the incident unfolding with Celikbilek and Senoglu suggested he had won the trophy for his stricken friend.
“Yankı won the tournament in Tunisia, he said he received the cup for his teammate Altug,” she added.
“It’s great that he continued his fight for all of us under these circumstances and became champion. I congratulate him.
“This morning the doctor examined Altug, gave him good news and now his mother is inside, they are talking a little bit.
“He has different tests and check-ups today, hopefully good news will come from them as well.
“With our beautiful energy, we will hopefully receive good news from our lion piece today.
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“The Federation, Enka, Yankı, Cem, Merve family are all giving him moral support from the window. Let’s have a good week, may our lion return home safely tomorrow, God willing.
“In this process, we have seen once again how valuable the federation is, standing by the athlete during difficult times.
“After a long time of Federation presidents who we have only seen on good days, the new president and his team are silently but with all their might standing by Altug. Come on Altuğ!”
Thankfully, it is a rare occurrence for a tennis player to collapse on court during a tournament, with the tennis world now supporting Celikbilek as he looks to fight back from the surgery that has given is friends and family hope for his recovery.
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