Tennis player COLLAPSES mid-match at the Miami Open as medic rushes on to help before he's taken off court in a wheelchair in terrifying scenes

French tennis player Arthur Cazaux collapsed midway through his match at the Miami Open on Monday in terrifying scenes.

The 21-year-old's clash against fellow Frenchman Harold Mayot was in the decisive third set when Cazaux fell to the ground as he prepared to return serve with nobody around him.

He was lying on the floor for a number of seconds before the umpire finally got down from his chair and a medic rushed on to help.

Footage later showed Cazaux being led off the court on a wheelchair after receiving treatment. 

He had earlier complained of cramp during the match but the umpire is believed to have said Cazaux retired due to 'illness'.

Arthur Cazaux collapsed on court midway through his match at the Miami Open on Monday

The 21-year-old fell to the ground with nobody around him during the decisive third set

He was lying on the floor for a number of seconds before the umpire and medic rushed over

Cazaux, the world No. 74, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year

Cazaux had levelled things up in the match by winning the second set 7-5 after Mayot took the first 6-4 in Florida. 

Temperatures in Miami were hovering around 88 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday with around 70 per cent humidity.

After receiving criticism on social media for his lack of reaction to Cazaux falling, Mayot wrote: 'Stop starting a false controversy for nothing.

'It had been several games since he didn't feel well and he was starting to cramp.

'I didn't see him fall and I thought he was lying down because he had a cramp. When I understood that it was serious I immediately followed go to him and I was very worried.

'I did my best to help. There is nothing but great friendship and complicity between us and always has been.

'You need to stop sending your hate all the time. I wish him a good recovery and the best.'

Cazaux, currently ranked No. 74 in the ATP rankings, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year. 

Mayot will now go on to face Belgium's David Goffin for a place in the main draw. 

After receiving criticism on social media for his reaction to Cazaux collapsing, Mayot hit back

The Miami Open has been hit with two high-profile withdrawals in recent days.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the event, saying less than a week after a surprise loss at Indian Wells that he needs to balance his 'private and professional schedule.'

Djokovic's announcement Saturday on his social media accounts followed his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat to unheralded Luca Nardi in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

'At this stage of my career, I'm balancing my private and professional schedule. I'm sorry that I won't experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world,' Djokovic wrote.

Then, on Monday night, Emma Raducanu withdrew on the eve of the tournament due to a lower back injury.

The former US Open champion has shown some promising form in recent weeks and was handed an appetizing draw but has had yet another injury setback. 

It comes after Raducanu had an eight-month layoff following surgeries on both hands and an ankle.