During a fifth-set medical timeout at the U.S. Open, French tennis player Terence Atmane engaged in a heated dispute with medical staff over the rules governing treatment for cramps. Atmane was seeking attention for muscular pain, which he differentiated from cramping, despite experiencing similar issues earlier in his five-set match against Jaume Munar.

The player insisted that he required treatment for pain, not cramps, but was informed by the physiotherapist that medical timeouts are not permitted for cramp-related issues. Players are only allowed brief treatment during changeovers or set breaks for cramps. Atmane argued that his condition was distinct from cramping, which he had experienced previously in the match.

"I need treatment here, this is not cramping," the 24-year-old stated. "This is pain. I have pain. I'm telling you, I have pain. On both sides, before I was cramping, and now I have pain. You don't understand? No, you don't understand. I need treatment, I really need treatment right now."

When the physio reiterated that treatment could not be provided for cramps, Atmane became more agitated. "This was not cramp, it's pain. It was pain," he said. "Excuse me, can you please give me treatment, and stop acting stupid. Is it possible to have some common sense? I tell him I have pain, why is he telling me no? I have pain."

A tournament supervisor was called to the court, advising Atmane that the physio was a medical professional. Atmane countered, "It's my body. I have pain on both there, so I need treatment there." He emphasized the distinction, spelling out "P-A-I-N" and reiterating, "Pain. Not cramp. I know the rules, that's why I'm asking you. It's not a cramp, it's pain."

Despite his protests, Atmane was denied treatment as the physiotherapist began to walk away. Atmane called him back, questioning his credentials and name. He then directed his frustration at the umpire, who instructed him to return to play, stating, "I have pain, and the guy says no. I'm telling him I have pain, and the guy says no. What does it matter? I get the name after this."

Earlier in the match, Atmane had experienced severe impairment from a muscular issue in the third set, leading to limited movement and underarm serves. He lost that set 6-1 after having won the first two. Munar had previously questioned the medical timeout awarded to Atmane and later accused him of time-wasting and receiving extra on-court coaching. Atmane also received a time violation for exceeding the time between points.

Following the match, which Munar won 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 7-5, Atmane explained his frustration. "I told (the physio) I had pain on my leg after the cramp, and then he told me that that was not true, and it was cramp," he said. "So I told him that what he was saying was not true because I had pain, and then he didn't want to treat me." Atmane noted that the pain felt different from his earlier cramps, leading him to believe it was not a cramp and should be treated.

The incident highlights the complexities and perceived inconsistencies in the enforcement of medical timeout rules, particularly concerning cramps, which are classified as a fitness issue rather than an injury or illness. Similar controversies have arisen in other tournaments, such as at the Australian Open when Alexander Zverev questioned Carlos Alcaraz's medical timeout for what Zverev claimed were cramps.

However, Atmane stated that he did not advocate for a change in the regulations. "I think that's fair that we cannot receive treatment when we have cramps," he said. "I feel like it has always been like this, so I don't see why it should change. Even if today I was fully cramping, I never asked for the physio at that time. I feel like rules are rules, and we should respect them. It was a little bit unfortunate that he didn't wanted to treat the problem that I had, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, I lost, and it happened."