Peyton Stearns, the world No. 46, experienced a dramatic and challenging day at the Dubai Tennis Championships. After securing a stunning victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the second round, Stearns faced an unexpected and severe physical setback.
Stearns’ match against Zheng was a hard-fought battle, with the American coming from behind to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The victory marked one of the biggest achievements of her career, but it came at a significant cost. Shortly after her triumph, Stearns had to return to the court for her round of 16 match against Mirra Andreeva. The quick turnaround proved to be too much for Stearns, who was already battling a gastrointestinal illness.
During her match against Andreeva, Stearns struggled to maintain her form and energy. She ultimately suffered a heavy defeat, losing 6-1, 6-1 in just 73 minutes. The physical toll of playing two matches in one day, combined with her illness, led to a dramatic collapse in the corridor after the match.
Stearns later shared her experience on social media, posting a photo of herself being attended to by medics. “Highly don’t recommend having a GI illness