High Temperatures Cause Controversy At Australian Open

Maria Sharapova attempting to remain cool

Comedian Dylan Moran once joked that Australia was located just 3/4 of a mile from the surface of the sun. Well in this opening week of the 2014 Australian Open many of the players and fans may have felt that to be true.

Unfortunately for the tournament the opening few days have been dominated by talk of the extreme heat and not that of the actual tennis. The images that have been seen are not the ones the tournament was hoping to provide with players slumped over receiving medical attention.

Heat Map of Australia

Many people, including the players, have expressed their unhappiness at the continuation of play when temperatures have reach over a staggering 40 degrees.

The part that amazes me it that is seems the ATP do not appear to have any guidelines regarding such and occurrence.

The best quote I have heard regarding the heat was from Andy Murray. A man not usually noted for his words but his comments rang very true. He said:

“It’s definitely something that you have to look at a little bit. As much as it’s easy to say the conditions are safe, it only takes one bad thing to happen. And it looks terrible for the whole sport when people are collapsing, ball kids are collapsing, people in the stands are collapsing. That’s not great.

“I know when I went out to hit before the match, the conditions at 2.30, 3pm were very, very tough. Whether it’s safe or not, I don’t know. There’s been some issues in other sports with players having heart attacks.”

I agree with him that the reputation of the sport is on the line as this is a global event and millions around the world will tune in. As Murray points out it only takes 'one bad thing' and the whole tournament will be overshadowed.

Ivan Dodig says he feared he might die

When you have players describing it as 'inhumane' and seeing the number of retirements in the opening rounds, even from players who were winning, it is a very sorry sight. 

I know the argument will be it is the same for both players and that is true however I do think that the lack of communication and understanding of the situation from the players,coaches and even tournament organisers reflects extremely badly on the sport.

From what I understand the tournament referee Wayne McEwen can suspend play on the outer courts and close the roofs on the main arenas, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (which takes humidity and wind factor into account) reaches a certain level. However Mr McEwen has declined to say what that temperature is. Personally I think this is wrong as it should be clear for all to see.

Furthermore the statement released  that a 'low level of humidity' had kept the conditions playable certainly raised eyebrows. Some may argue that the players are 'soft' and use just get on with playing and stop moaning amount the conditions. A point the great Roger Federer may share after he commented:

“It’s just a mental thing. If you’ve trained hard enough your entire life, and you believe you can come through it, there’s no reason [to quit]. If you can’t deal with it, you throw in the towel.” 

Now even me who often has little sympathy for top sport stars disagree with this assumption. I think play should have be stopped at least a few more times than it has been, especially on the outside courts.

I hope the heat does decrease and the tennis will take the headlines as we head into what promises to be a blockbuster second week.

A side note to this would be the proposed World Cup of 2022 in Qatar. It would seem a certainty that the World Cup will be moved to Winter. This announcement which is still a while away will certainly come and the fallout will be enormous.