Litigation

Concussions-Whose minding the store at US Open?

By Michael Kaplen

At the US Open yesterday, Victoria Azarenka, the No. 10 seed collapsed on the court during her second-round match. 

At first her fall seemed it was heat related, but Ms. Azarenka in a statement blamed a mild concussion she suffered in a fall before the match while doing a training run. "I felt worse as the match went on, having a headache and feeling dizzy," she said in the statement.

Reportedly, she is still considering returning to play in double matches later on this week.

Does the US Open and the Tennis Association have any policies regarding management of concussions.  If they don't, they better develop some quickly.  This just points to the fact that you can sustain a concussion while engaging in any sporting endeavor and all organized sports need to have concussion policies in place including requirements for medical clearance and when it is appropriate to return to play.  My policy, WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT!

A troubling issue about all of this is what did the Association know about her claimed fall and if she was observed falling and striking her head, why was she even allowed to go back out on the court?

I am sure that we will be learning more about this in the week ahead.  In the meantime, I hope that this player understands that even mild brain injury can lead to life long serious consequences and must be treated seriously.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on September 02, 2010 (boomark / email).