Australia Open-Heat Wave-Shoes Melt/Players Vomit
 

After Ball Boys Fainted, Players Vomited and Their Shoes MELTED in 40C Temperatures, Australian Open Organisers Revise Extreme Heat Policy

• Australian Open organisers have updated their 'extreme heat policy' for next year's tournament
• There is also the addition of a third retractable roof stadium on Margaret Court arena
• The heat policy will take into account the forecast once it exceeds 40, as well as a humidity and wind reading
• At the 2014 tournament players fainted, vomited and suffered severe cramping, a ball boy also fainted

Daily Mail UK, 2 December 2014


The Australian Open, dubbed The Australian sauna championships, saw many casualties following extreme heat at the Melbourne tennis grand slam event earlier this year, with temperatures scorching to over 40 degrees Celsius during a four day sweat-fest.

One player hallucinated and fainted, another vomited and suffered severe cramping, while the searing heat also melted water bottles on court and incredibly even melted the soles of one player's sneakers.
Canadian Frank Dancevic hit out at the tournament organisers after he collapsed during his first round match on an outside court, while Ivan Dodig from Croatia said he had wondered if he would die on court.



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Maria Sharapova attempts to cool down with an ice vest during a break in her round two match against Karin Knapp of Italy at the 2014 Australian Open. She says at one point she thought she would faint


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Andy Murray takes a drink in intense heat during his round four match against Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan at the 2014 Australian Open


Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil attempts to cool down with ice during a break in his round two match at this year's Australian Open


And it wasn't just reserved for the players, a ball boy fainted during one of the matches while fans had to brave the blistering temps, some without shade.
A wave of criticism followed the heat stricken open, surrounding the lack of transparency about when the 'heat policy' would be implemented which was at the discretion of the umpires.

Tournament organisers were also accused of forcing players to perform in 'inhumane' conditions, which has now led Australian Open organisers to update their 'extreme heat policy' for next year's tournament.
Firstly there's the addition of a third retractable-roof stadium on the new-look Margaret Court arena which will weather-proof the court.
Secondly, the 'heat policy' will be updated to ensure conditions are fair for all players.


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Tennis fans cool off during a heat wave at the tennis on day two of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament


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The roof of Rod Laver Arena had to be closed due to the extreme heat at this year's Australian Open

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Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the USA pours water on herself during a break as she battles the heat in this year's tournament


'The heat policy, as always, will be applied at the Referee's discretion,' said Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley.
'The decision on implementing the heat policy will take into account the forecast once the ambient temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, and the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) reading exceeds 32.5,' he said.
'When conditions exceed these levels the Referee is taking into account the forecast and state of play when making his discretionary call.'
'We've been gathering data for a number of years now and the forecast process is more sophisticated than ever before.'
'We believe this update will clarify and streamline the communications process for both players and support staff.'
'We've consulted the playing group and this is seen as the fairest way to implement the policy by many of the top players,' said Mr Tiley.


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Li Na of China tries to cool down with an ice pack during her match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in round three of the this year's Australian Open

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Tennis fans cool off during a heat wave at the tennis on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament this year


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The Australian Open has been dubbed the Australian sauna championships, as fans watching a match in 2009 opt for a bit of humour in the hot weather


There will also be other changes for matches in progress that will continue until the end of an even number of games in that set or the completion of a tie break, before play is suspended.

'The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam with three-retractable roof stadiums, so it's important to update our policies to reflect the new infrastructure and conditions the players compete in,' Tiley said.

While the new updated policy will be in place for the 2015 tournament, it may not even be needed with news that the weather won't be as hot as this year's competition.

Meteorologist Bob Leighton says long range forecasts indicated a heat wave wasn't expected for next year's Grand Slam set to start on January 19.
'At this stage it's looking like a normal summer, perhaps slightly warmer, with only one day hitting around 40 degrees, and little or no rain forecast,' said Mr Leighton.

Re: Australia Open-Heat Wave-Shoes Melt/Players Vomit
 

That's just too hot for me now a days. I just can't take that kinda heat even though I used to work in it 12 hrs. a day. Chasing that ball around to hit it with a racket may be fun to some, but it looks like more than work to me.....LOL