Corentin Moutet collapsed in shower 45 minutes before Australian Open clash with Learner Tien

French tennis player Corentin Moutet says he fainted in the shower just 45 minutes before walking out to play Learner Tien at the Australian Open.

Moutet lost his third-round clash against 19-year-old American qualifier Tien in straight sets, 7-6 (12-10), 6-3, 6-3 at Show Court Arena on Saturday.

In hindsight, it’s no wonder why he went down, given his pre-match preparation.

The world No.69 looked appeared in considerable pain at the end of the second set and then into the third.

Speaking to French publication L’Équipe after the match, Moutet said “there were a lot of different things” he was struggling with, including cramps.

“The day was so difficult,” he admitted.

“But I want to start by saying bravo to him (Tien) because, what a player. I had never played him. Huge respect. He played five sets (against Daniil Medvedev). I was supposed to sleep, but I couldn’t help but watch his match (which ended at 3am on Friday morning), it was impressive.

“I gave it my all and I’m proud of myself, proud to have gone all the way. I don’t have much to reproach myself for.

“I could have done better, but that’s not even the question. We fought, he was better physically. I had pain, cramps too.”

Moutet then made the concerning revelation that he had collapsed in the shower before the game.

“In fact, I fainted 45 minutes before the match in the shower,” he said.

“I don’t know what happened. I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor. Everything was black, I couldn’t see.

“It was unexpected because I felt good all day, not too many aches, I was pretty fit, I had recovered well from my previous matches. It was a bit disturbing.

“I didn’t have many points of reference, I was a bit dazed from the fall. I didn’t hurt myself, but I was dazed.

“During the warm-up, there was a bit of panic wondering how I was going to do it. It was hot today (Saturday), it was tough physically.”

Regardless, the 25-year-old said he was happy with the effort he gave.

“Honestly, I’m proud of myself,” Moutet said.

“I didn’t start the match in the best conditions. I did the best I could to disturb him. It didn’t work out, but you have to know how to lose too.”

Moutet said he wasn’t able to see a doctor between his collapse and the match, and still doesn’t know how or why it happened.

“I didn’t have time (to see a doctor),” he said.

“It was 45 minutes before the match. I woke up in the shower. I took a shower an hour and 30 minutes before the match and I finished the shower 45 minutes before.

“I have a blackout, I don’t know exactly what happened. I just know that I spent 15 minutes in the dark.

“I felt fine before, nothing, no alert. And I didn’t have time to consult because I had my match, I had to warm up.

“Very quickly we tried to do balance exercises to find my visual references because I was a little disoriented.”

Tien, who slayed Russian world No.5 Medvedev in the previous round, is the youngest man to make the last 16 at Melbourne Park since 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal lost to Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.

“I don’t think I can compare myself to Rafa but that’s cool,” Tien said.

In the searing heat on Kia Arena, Moutet fell awkwardly after a serve early in the third set and began writhing in pain on the ground.

“I didn’t really know what happened,” Tien said.

“But he told me he was going to keep trying just for me.”