"Unconfirmed reports" are linking world No.1 Jannik Sinner to a serious illness ahead of his quarter-final clash against Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Sinner, 23, was shaking uncontrollably during his fourth-round match against Holger Rune, eventually surviving in four sets.
The defending Australian Open champion left the court after the fifth game of the third set for a lengthy medical timeout.
After the match, Sinner explained why he was visibly struggling.
"I was not feeling really well," he confirmed. "I think we saw that today, I was struggling physically. Came here as late as possible. I knew that it was going to be very, very difficult today. Playing against a tough opponent, but also playing against myself a little bit. I knew this before. I tried to handle the situation on the court as good as I could, which I think today I handled as well as possible.
"I talked with the doctor before going on the court. I had a little checkup. It was a bit helpful. I at least felt slightly better when I went back on court. I felt like the face looked a little bit better, the colour was a little bit back."
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The Morning Serve, hosted by Tony Jones on Channel 9, revealed that there are "unconfirmed reports" about Sinner's health, potentially battling pneumonia.
Former world No.33 John Millman joined Jones at the desk, sharing one glaring observation he picked up yesterday.
"One thing I'll say – and I'm no expert and maybe cameras picked up something else – but I didn't see him at the courts yesterday," said Millman.
"I saw Alex, he was hitting. I didn't see Jannik."
The duo face off for a chance to secure a semi-final berth, as Sinner looks to extend his 9-0 head-to-head record.
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