Simona Halep suffers worrying panic attack as she crashes out of Roland Garros

Simona Halep suffered a panic attack during her French Open second round defeat to Zheng Qinwen, admitting she "didn't know how to handle it."

The former Wimbledon and Roland Garros champion was leading at the time before calling the doctor onto court.

She went on to lose the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, although thankfully she confirmed afterwards that she was feeling better.

"I didn't expect [it] because it was just a panic attack. It happened.

"I didn't know how to handle it, because I don't have it often. Yeah, I don't really know why it happened, because I was leading the match. I was playing well.

"But it just happened and I lost it. I couldn't focus. After the match it was pretty tough. But now I'm good. I'm recovered and I will learn from this episode.

"It was nothing like dangerous, in my opinion, but it happened. So it's good that now I can smile."

It is the latest in a string of tennis players opening up about mental health issues.

At last season's French Open Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament with anxiety issues, while Nick Kyrgios has spoken openly about his struggles with depression.

Time Henman, speaking to Eurosport, credited Halep for also coming forward and speaking openly about her problem.

"I think it is so brave and so honest for Simona to come in and talk about what happened to her, because I feel that can really have a positive impact on others that if they are struggling with a mental health issue that they have the bravery to speak about it and go and get help.

"Simona has been around for many years, she has won big titles, so it just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.

"I thought it was amazing, really classy, after a really difficult defeat under difficult circumstances, to come out and speak."