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Fans, Players Blast Australian Open Organizers For Allowing Play Under Bad Heat

Canada’s Frank Dancevic, who required medical attention after fainting in his round game has criticized the organizers of the Australian Open, saying they forced players to compete in intense heat as temperatures hit 42 C during the game.

”It was inhumane to allow players to compete in such testing condition.” said the Canadian.

Britain’s Andy Murray also expressed his displeasure at the situation in Melbourne, saying the incident may damage the event’s reputation.

”It doesn’t look good for the sport when people are collapsing.” the Wimbledon champion said.

Murray, who sailed through to the next round of the tournament despite the hot weather said most of the players are conditioned to last in it, but added that he was not sure if any would be able to last in it for three or four hours.

The high temperature resulted in a number of incidents at Melbourne Park on Tuesday. One of such was when former women’s number one Caroline Wozniacki’s plastic bottle melted on court.

2008 finalist Jo Wilfried Tsonga’s shoes softened in the high temperature, while ballboys and ballgirls had their shifts reduced from 1 hour to 45 minutes to stop them overheating.

A ballboy collapsed and needed medical during Milos Raonic’s victory over Daniel Gimeno-Traver on court 8. These and many more incidents were some of the reasons most of the players think the event should be suspended.