Tennis player breaks down in tears after ex-boyfriend shows up to US Open's match

Karolína Muchová, a tennis player from the Czech Republic, became emotional on the US Open's court last week after spotting her estranged ex-boyfriend watching her from the stands.

The sportswoman was in the midst of her serve down 1-4 against Sorana Cîrstea of Romania on Thursday (28 Aug) when she suddenly stopped, standing still as she looked into the crowd.

Muchová, 29, then moved towards the bench before grabbing a towel and wiping down her face. She then approached the chair umpire, with reports claiming she apologised for the brief pause.

Throughout the remainder of the game, the European athlete played through tears.

Later, during her post-match conversation with press, Muchová claimed her upset 'wasn't tennis related'.

The player suddenly stopped during the match (Al Bello/Getty Images)

According to a translation first published by The Athletic, the World No 13 explained: "Opposite my bench, my ex-boyfriend sat down.

"He sometimes shows up at places where he shouldn’t be. That startled me a bit. I told him to leave, he didn’t, but later he did go."

Muchová went on to claim: "It was hard to focus in that moment."

Thankfully, however, despite being shaken up by her former flame's sudden appearance at the game, the Czech star went on to win the match.

Two days later, she went on to beat her fellow Czech, Linda Nosková.

"Yeah, I’m alright. I didn’t make any report, and everything is good," she went on to tell press of her ex's unnerving move.

Asked if she's confident that such incidents won't happen again, however, she honestly replied: "I mean, who knows, right? I don’t know."

The circumstances of Muchová's split from the man remain unclear.

That said, however, players are permitted to block certain individuals from obtaining tickets to their games.

The Czech later went on to win the game (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Muchová's teary moment comes just months after British champion Emma Raducanu broke down in tears during a Wimbledon match after noticing a man in the crowds who'd previously been convicted of harassing her in Dubai.

The man - who was later banned from the All England Club’s ticket ballot - had previously been issued a restraining order against the 22-year-old, who herself was playing against Muchová at the time.

Raducanu claimed during a press conference following the game that she 'couldn't see the ball through tears', and 'could barely breathe' after recognising him in the stands.

Unsurprisingly, following the latest incident involving the Czech star, tennis fans are urging tournament organisers to do more to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its players.

Taking to social media, one claimed: "I feel for her. Stalking should be taken more seriously."

A similar incident occurred earlier this year involving Emma Raducanu (Sky Sports

Another suggested: "Tournaments should maintain a list of banned people. It shouldn't even require a restraining order. Each player should be allowed to submit 5 names of anyone they choose."

"I hope they were removed immediately!" wrote a third.

The USTA previously claimed they take such scenarios seriously, adding that on-site and online security teams work with law enforcement agents to endure a safe environment for all of its players.

"Player safety is a critical element of our planning and execution for the US Open," a spokesperson for the organisation told press, as per the New York Post.