Ivo Karlovic Is In Miami Hospital Due To Viral Meningitis

Written by: Staff on 29th April 2013

ATP PTT Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok

Ivo Karlovic Is In Miami Hospital Due To Viral Meningitis

epa03410557 Ivo Karlovic of Croatia returns the ball to Marinko Matosevic of Australia during their first round match of the ATP PTT Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, 26 September 2012. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT |

Ivo Karlovic, the Croatian ATP World Tour veteran of more than 13 years has been hospitalized in Miami suffering from viral meningitis after an earlier prognosis suggested the 34 year-old had suffered a stroke.

Karlovic, who last year was deposed by Australian Samuel Groth as the dispatcher of the world’s fastest ever timed serve, was taken ill in Florida last week.

After being discharged from hospital his condition worsened and he was readmitted and it appears the condition may well have been caused by inflammation of the brain through a possible insect bite.

Karlovic’s Jamaican born wife Alsi issued a statement that said: “Ivo did not have a stroke, as some outlets have stated; rather, he has viral meningitis. We ask for privacy during his recovery process thank everyone for their support and well wishes.”

Karlovic’s sister Ana, a sports psychologist, also noted: “Some have reported that the (diagnosis) was a stroke, without any verification. That’s not really professional on their end.”

Viral meningitis could be caused by one of several viruses, with the most common being the enteroviruses. Initially the condition is treated the same way as bacterial meningitis with antibiotic medication. In severe cases anti-viral medicines may be given.

Gradually the antibiotics will be withdrawn and intravenous fluids will be continued to support the body as it recovers. In most cases the patient will recover within two weeks with bed rest, plenty of fluids and analgesics.

It is understood former Croatian player and Davis Cup captain Ivan Ljubicic has been in contact with the Karlovic family and Ivo is conscious, responding to treatment, aware, and doing well.

Karlovic first caught the world’s attention on his Wimbledon debut in 2003 when he beat defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round. The tallest player on the men’s tour at 6ft. 10 ins., he reached a career-high ranking of world no. 14 in 2008, is currently ranked No. 135. He has not played competitively since the Sarasota Challenger two weeks ago, where he lost to 238th-ranked Denys Molchanov in the first round.

Last year he accused Wimbledon’s officials of being biased after being foot faulted 11 times during his second round exit to Britain’s Andy Murray.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Croatian tennis news, Ivan Ljubicic, Ivo Karlovic, meningitis and tennis, Samuel Groth, Tennis News