An Algerian tennis player with a ranking outside the top 900 has died in California after losing in the first round of a Futures event. Police said Mehdi Bouras, 24, was pronounced dead in Costa Mesa, California.
Officials said that during the week, the player had complained of feeling poorly and got progressively worse.
Bouras had attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and in 2011 was the first player from that institution to compete in the NCAA singles event since 1997.
“We wished him the best of luck, we all did,” said Owen Hambrook, his university coach, “He had an incredible character, he was a model student-athlete.
“He was a good player and an ambassador for UNLV. We send his family our sincere condolences. Those who knew him will never forget him.”