Melbourne, Jan 14: Players fainted and vomited and a ball boy collapsed as the Australian Open boiled in one of the hottest days in its history today, prompting angry complaints and keeping fans away in droves.
Temperatures of 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit), enough to melt plastic bottles on the rubberised courts, made for a punishing day for the players with some incensed their matches went ahead.
Canada’s Frank Dancevic lashed out at the “inhumane” playing conditions after he blacked out and needed treatment during his first-round defeat to Benoit Paire.
“I think it’s inhumane, I don’t think it’s fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out,” he said.
“I’ve played five-set matches all my life and being out there for a set-and-a-half and passing out with heat-stroke, it’s not normal.
“Having players with so many problems and complaining to the tournament that it’s too hot to play, until somebody dies, they’re just keep going on with it and putting matches on in this heat.
“I personally don’t think it’s fair and I know a lot of players don’t think it’s fair.”
Chinese player Peng Shuai cramped and vomited during her loss to Japan’s Kurumi Nara, and also received a violation for time-wasting at a moment when she said she was unable to walk.
“I was just cramping and I couldn’t stand up. Both legs, my hamstrings were cramping,” she said.
“I had no energy, I couldn’t run, I couldn’t serve,” she said, blaming the heat for her defeat. “So it’s impossible to play tennis like this.”
There was no immediate response from tournament officials to the complaints.
The Australian Open, held at the height of the Melbourne summer, is notorious for its heat. State officials imposed a blanket fire ban and warned of extreme temperatures in some areas on Tuesday. (AGENCIES)
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