British No.1 Johanna Konta experienced a turbulent return to professional tennis at the Top Seed Open after suffering heart palpitations during her 6-4, 6-4, loss to unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova in the first round on Monday.
Konta, who was seeded third in the tournament, sought medical attention following the first game of the match where she had her blood pressure taken. Despite the scare, she continued with the match but was unable to find a way to break down the game of her 23-year-old opponent. Konta managed to win only 39% of her second service points and failed to convert six out of her seven break point opportunities.
“My heart rate shoots up for no reason, we didn’t have a long point, I wasn’t gassing in any way in my lungs,” Konta commented on her health scare.
“It actually goes up and stays there so it makes me a bit lightheaded, I just needed to see the doctor and the physio.
“It was very high when they came out. I was having all the checks. I am as fit as a fiddle but it can happen. It took a while to settle down but then it did and I was able to concentrate on the tennis.”
This week was Konta’s first WTA tournament since the Monterrey Open in March. During the five-month break in the sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world No.15 only played in one exhibition event. Taking part in the Battle of the Brits where she won one match before getting knocked out of the tournament.
Commenting further on her heart palpitations, Konta said that she was ‘not too worried’ by it because she has experienced similar before. The 29-year-old is however going to have an EKG test to check.
“We don’t know why it happens, it’s been under stressful situations, in no stress situations. We just don’t know. It’s been sporadic,” she said.
“It’s not ideal. I am going to have another EKG and see what protocols we can take. It’s probably not going to happen again for another year or something. I’m not too worried, no.”
There was better news on the opening day of the tournament for other top names in the draw. Second seed Aryna Sabalenka required almost two-and-a-half hours to edge out world No.80 Madison Brengle 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2. The world No.11 at times struggled with her serve as she hit 11 double faults alongside eight aces.
“[Brengle] played really well, she moved really well,” wtatennis.com quoted Sabalenka as saying following the match. “It was tough. I just tried to stay in the game, tried to think clean, and fight to the end, like I usually did.”
Sabalenka could play Coco Gauff in the second round should the American rising star win her opening match.
Magda Linette dropped only five games during her 6-2, 6-3, win over Lauren Davis. The Polish sixth seed dropped her serve only once at the start of the match before dominating proceedings during her 83-minute encounter. Setting up a showdown with Jenifer Brady in the second round who crushed Heather Watson 6-2, 6-1.
Finally, eighth seed One Jabeur downed Caty McNally 6-2, 6-4.
