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'Boiling players dismayed, blame OZ Open organizers for playing until someone dies'

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ANI Melbourne

Canadian Frank Dancevic, who fainted due to extreme heat after a set and a half of his match, has said it is hazardous and dangerous to be playing out there and Australian Open organizers are just going to keep playing matches in this heat until somebody dies.

He said he couldn't keep his balance anymore and leaned over the fence, and when he woke up people were all around him.

Dancevic, who went on to lose his match, also called call the conditions inhumane.

Peng Shuai of China also vomited at the side of the court. A ball boy collapsed during another match and many ticketholders chose not to sit courtside because of the intensity of the heat.

 

Andy Murray, who safely progressed alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, queried whether it was safe to play in temperatures which touched 42.2 Celsius.

Tournament organisers haven't yet invoked their Extreme Heat Policy, which can be used to justify the cessation of play based on a quotient of air temperature, humidity and wind speed.

Murray made his disappointment clear by saying that he feared someone could suffer a heart attack if Australian Open organisers insist on play going ahead in 42-degree temperatures in Melbourne.

Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki said she felt like she was playing in a sauna, and added as she put the bottle down on the court, it started melting a little bit underneath, the plastic, News.com.au reports.

Victoria Azarenka said it was like you're dancing in a frying pan.

American John Isner compared the conditions to opening the door of an oven.

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First Published: Jan 15 2014 | 2:57 PM IST

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