*Canadian Frank Dancevic slammed Australian Open organisers for forcing players to compete in "inhumane" conditions after he collapsed on court as temperatures rose to 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
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Dancevic, who collapsed during the second set of his first round match against France's Benoit Paire on the uncovered court six at Melbourne Park and passed out for a minute, said conditions were plainly dangerous for the players.
"I think its inhumane, I dont think its fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out," he told reporters."Ive played five set matches all my life and being out there for a set and a half and passing out with heat-stroke, its not normal.
"Having players with so many problems and complaining to the tournament that its too hot to play, until somebody dies, theyre just keep going on with it and putting matches on in this heat.
"I personally dont think its fair and I know a lot of players dont think its fair."The tournament's "extreme heat" contingency plan was put into force for womens matches on Tuesday, allowing an extra 10-minute break between the second and third sets.
Under a change to the rules for this year, however, the decision on whether to stop matches at the tournament is now at the discretion of tournament director Wayne McKewen.
Rather than use the raw Celsius readings to assess the heat, organisers prefer to use the Wet Bulb Global Temperature composite, which also gauges humidity and wind to identify the perceived conditions.
Organisers said temperatures peaked at 42.2 degrees Celsius in the early evening on Tuesday and conditions had never reached the point where play would be stopped."We have to reach a minimum threshold and have a forecast that it will be sustained for a reasonable time," McKewen said in a statement.
"That didnt happen. While conditions were hot and uncomfortable, the relatively low level of humidity ensured play would continue."
A ball boy had earlier required medical attention after collapsing during Milos Raonics 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Daniel Gimeno-Traver on the equally exposed court eight.China's Peng Shuai also said the heat had caused her to cramp up and vomit and she had to be helped from the court after her 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 defeat to Japans Kurumi Nara.Most competitors, though, followed Roger Federers line that, although conditions were tough, they were the same for both players. "Its just a mental thing," the Swiss said, albeit before Dancevic collapsed. Reported by Deccan Herald 9 hours ago.
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Dancevic, who collapsed during the second set of his first round match against France's Benoit Paire on the uncovered court six at Melbourne Park and passed out for a minute, said conditions were plainly dangerous for the players.
"I think its inhumane, I dont think its fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out," he told reporters."Ive played five set matches all my life and being out there for a set and a half and passing out with heat-stroke, its not normal.
"Having players with so many problems and complaining to the tournament that its too hot to play, until somebody dies, theyre just keep going on with it and putting matches on in this heat.
"I personally dont think its fair and I know a lot of players dont think its fair."The tournament's "extreme heat" contingency plan was put into force for womens matches on Tuesday, allowing an extra 10-minute break between the second and third sets.
Under a change to the rules for this year, however, the decision on whether to stop matches at the tournament is now at the discretion of tournament director Wayne McKewen.
Rather than use the raw Celsius readings to assess the heat, organisers prefer to use the Wet Bulb Global Temperature composite, which also gauges humidity and wind to identify the perceived conditions.
Organisers said temperatures peaked at 42.2 degrees Celsius in the early evening on Tuesday and conditions had never reached the point where play would be stopped."We have to reach a minimum threshold and have a forecast that it will be sustained for a reasonable time," McKewen said in a statement.
"That didnt happen. While conditions were hot and uncomfortable, the relatively low level of humidity ensured play would continue."
A ball boy had earlier required medical attention after collapsing during Milos Raonics 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Daniel Gimeno-Traver on the equally exposed court eight.China's Peng Shuai also said the heat had caused her to cramp up and vomit and she had to be helped from the court after her 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 defeat to Japans Kurumi Nara.Most competitors, though, followed Roger Federers line that, although conditions were tough, they were the same for both players. "Its just a mental thing," the Swiss said, albeit before Dancevic collapsed. Reported by Deccan Herald 9 hours ago.