Konta heart scare in US: ‘I’m OK’

Johanna Konta says she is not too worried after suffering heart palpitations during her first match back after a five-month break from competitive tennis.

A few minutes into her match against Marie Bouzkova at the Lexington Top Seed event, the world No 15 started feeling lightheaded and required medical attention.

“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 said.

“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.”

Konta eventually returned to action and went on to lose the match 6-4, 6-4, but was set to go for a follow-up medical check.