Great concern for tennis star: a tumor is discovered after collapse and brain hemorrhage

Istanbul/Hamburg - A week ago, the tennis world was shaken by the dramatic events surrounding Turkish professional Altug Celikbilek. The 28-year-old suffered a severe headache during a match in Monastir, Tunisia, collapsed and had to undergo emergency surgery a few hours later due to a diagnosed brain haemorrhage.

Altug Celikbilek (28) collapsed at a tournament in Monastir at the end of November and had to undergo emergency surgery.
Altug Celikbilek (28) collapsed at a tournament in Monastir at the end of November and had to undergo emergency surgery.  © IMAGO / tennisphoto.de

Now his girlfriend has shared a disturbing update. "I remember you telling us you were in so much pain, but never in my life would I have thought of something like this ... Three days later, you were flown by helicopter to Istanbul for another operation to remove a tumor," wrote Belgian tennis player Eliessa Vanlangendonck on her Instagram profile.

The president of the Turkish Tennis Federation, Safak Müderrisgil, confirmed that a "lump on a vein" had been found and that it was said to be a "benign tumor". "He had a successful operation, we are waiting for him to wake up," she emphasized during an interview on"sportTV".

Meanwhile, in an emotional statement, Vanlangendonck emphasized that her partner was in the best of hands and thanked everyone who was thinking of him and keeping their fingers crossed that he would get through this difficult stroke of fate well in every respect.

Celikbilek has a very special connection to Germany, as he is a member of the TC an der Schirnau team and plays league matches for the club. His girlfriend is also in the club's squad. Both train in the Hanseatic city when they are not traveling the world for tournaments.

Altug Celikbilek is coached by Hamburg manager and trainer

The Turk has been in a relationship with the Belgian Eliessa Vanlangendonck (27) for more than five years and both train in Hamburg.
The Turk has been in a relationship with the Belgian Eliessa Vanlangendonck (27) for more than five years and both train in Hamburg.  © IMAGO / tennisphoto.de

The Turk is being looked after by German manager Björn Kroll (47) and Hamburg coach and ex-professional Tobias Hinzmann (41). The events are difficult to comprehend for both, and understandably neither wanted to comment for the time being when asked by TAG24.

It is still too unclear how the health of their protégé will develop. According to his girlfriend, Altug Celikbilek has not yet regained consciousness.

"You can take as much time as you want to rest. I believe and we all believe that you will wake up again and be the crazy, funny, annoying, active, caring and loving kid you always were," Vanlangendonck wrote on Instagram.

Everyone hopes that the Davis Cup player will soon be able to open his eyes and embrace all his loved ones again.