The heat of the competition is affecting the players in the 2014 Australian Open. According to Weather.com, temperatures reached 42 degrees Celsius, making players feel like they were "playing tennis in a sauna or on a frying pan that sizzled their soles."
Australian Open Tournament Director Wayne McKewen issued a statement, saying, "We have to reach a minimum threshold and have a forecast that it will be sustained for a reasonable time. That didn't happen. While conditions were hot and uncomfortable, the relatively low level of humidity ensured play would continue," noted CBS Sports,
Not only are the players suffering under the temperate conditions. Aside from Canada's Frank Dancevic needing medical attention, a ball boy for the tournament had fainted during the Milos Raonic match against Daniel Gimeno-Traver match, according to ESPN UK.
Dancevic angrily responded to the decision by the tournament despite the weather conditions, saying "Having players with so many problems and complainng to the tournament that it's too hot to play, until somebody dies, they just keep going on with it and putting on matches in this heat."
To this, 17 time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer said, "Just deal with it, because it's the same for both [players]," according to the same CBS report.
He added, "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 and passing put. 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 is not normal."
Weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce said, "The heat will continue with high pressure in the upper atmosphere parked over southeast Australia through Friday. Temperatures will peak in the 100s each day. Relief is on the way however, with high temperatures in the 70s this coming weekend."
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