French Open star collapses for more than FIVE minutes due to scorching heat after gruelling four-and-a-half hour clash – as player leaves court in a wheelchair in worrying scenes

The scorching heat at the French Open took its toll on Czech star Jakub Mensik, who collapsed after winning an epic five-set second-round match and had to be helped into a wheelchair after walking off the court.

Mensik described the conditions as ‘crazy’ after battling for four hours and 41 minutes against Mariano Navone in the scorching Roland Garros sun, collapsing with severe cramping moments after hitting the crucial point in a massive fifth set that secured a 6-3 2-6 6-4 1-6 7-6 (13-11) victory.

As paramedics rushed to Mensik’s aid to bring him ice packs, which he used as a pillow as he lay on the ground, Navone came over to check if Mensik was okay before shaking hands.

After more than five minutes, Mensik finally stood up and took a few steps towards the exit to drain the color from his face and was quickly helped into a wheelchair and an ice pack placed on his head.

“It’s crazy to play in this weather, especially in front of the sun,” Mensik said. ‘It’s crazy to be there for over four and a half hours. Even during breaks you don’t have much time.

‘When I reached the final point, the final winner, the emotions faded and my body shut down. I couldn’t do anything.

‘The ending says it all, but I’m happy I kept fighting.’

The 20-year-old, one of only two men to beat Jannik Sinner this year, grabbed her hip as she reached the final point but managed to hit a forehand before falling to the ground.

Players and spectators have suffered through unbearable conditions in Paris all week, with temperatures consistently in the mid-30s. Most of the sun-exposed seats on Court Philippe-Chatrier were left empty during Novak Djokovic’s victory over Valentin Royer.

Djokovic then called for the French Open and other Grand Slams to implement the rule used at the Australian Open, in which play on outdoor courts is suspended if the temperature reaches a certain level.

‘Honestly, in the Grand Slams it shouldn’t be a problem because we have so many venues,’ Djokovic said. ‘We have lights. You have big courts. You can play matches. You can reschedule other courts and still have crowds and everything in the stadium.

‘Is it ideal to go and eat at midnight? Not so. But if you have certain days with extreme heat and conditions then perhaps that’s something to consider.’

The stars filled their towels with ice and Casper Rudd said: ‘It looks a bit like heatstroke. I experienced something similar a few years ago when I had to withdraw in the third set in Washington. This was the only time I felt like today; ‘Sometimes I would get really dizzy, completely exhausted and almost walk around like a zombie.’

Players are looking for ways to combat the heat, but some have failed. Eva Lys said after playing in the midday heat on Monday: ‘The conditions were very difficult. I made sure to drink too much and hoped that I wouldn’t be the one to pass out.

‘Everything you drink makes you sweat. You are sweating by running from right to left, the racket is not in your hand, it is not easy. Generally I don’t have a problem with the temperature until the weather gets as hot as it has the last few days. ‘You have to be incredibly careful about your diet, how much you drink and getting enough salt and electrolytes.’

Former world No.1 Iga Swiatek added: ‘When we first got here it was about 16 degrees Celsius and the ball was extremely heavy. You can put your entire body weight and all your strength on the ball and still feel in control. You need to feel a lot more now and you can’t take too many risks.

Casper Ruud says players walked around Roland Garros ‘like zombies’

‘It’s also a little easier to play higher and with spin. I can say that the ball bounces off the ground faster, which gives you an advantage. But first you have to be able to control the ball because it is faster in the air and easier to hit out of bounds.’

The French Open uses two wet bulb sensors to monitor temperature; one at Court Philippe Chatrier and the other at Court 14.

After the second set for women and the third set for men, the players will take a 10-minute break, and if the temperature increases further, the matches may be postponed.

Meanwhile, Fran Jones became the fifth Briton to be eliminated from the French Open, leaving Katie Boulter as the only hopeful left standing at Roland Garros.

Jones fell to 27th seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, losing 6-0 and 7-6; Emma Raducanu had the same score in her first round defeat, both started badly but her fight was in vain.

Boulter will face 28th seed Anastasia Potapova this afternoon to keep her British hopes alive.