Hot and bothered: Rising temperatures threaten top seeds in Australia Open 2018

The comments follow suffocating weather at Melbourne Park on Thursday, which some players struggled with, and more of the same on Friday where it was heading to a forecast peak of 42 Celsius.
Australian Open organisers defended their heat policy as Roger Federer downplayed the oven-like conditions on court, saying players should be fit enough to deal with it. (Photo | AP)
Australian Open organisers defended their heat policy as Roger Federer downplayed the oven-like conditions on court, saying players should be fit enough to deal with it. (Photo | AP)
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The comments follow suffocating weather at Melbourne Park on Thursday, which some players struggled with, and more of the same on Friday where it was heading to a forecast peak of 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit). (Photo | AP)
The comments follow suffocating weather at Melbourne Park on Thursday, which some players struggled with, and more of the same on Friday where it was heading to a forecast peak of 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit). (Photo | AP)
Novak Djokovic described the conditions as 'brutal', complaining it was hard to breathe and they were 'right on the limit'. Djokovic urged tennis organizers to be more flexible about the rules for drink breaks, time between points and suspension of play when the conditions were bordering on dangerous. (Photo | AP)
Novak Djokovic described the conditions as 'brutal', complaining it was hard to breathe and they were 'right on the limit'. Djokovic urged tennis organizers to be more flexible about the rules for drink breaks, time between points and suspension of play when the conditions were bordering on dangerous. (Photo | AP)
France's Alize Cornet falls to the court after suffering from the heat during her third round match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Australian Open tennis championships. (Photo | AP)
France's Alize Cornet falls to the court after suffering from the heat during her third round match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Australian Open tennis championships. (Photo | AP)
Gael Monfils, for one, staggered through a good portion of his second-round match against Novak Djokovic, bending over repeatedly to catch his breath between points and at one stage returning to the comfort of his shaded chair without even attempting to return Djokovic's serve. Afterwards, he called the conditions 'risky' for the players, especially with the new rule restricting the time between points to 25 seconds. (Photo | AP)
Gael Monfils, for one, staggered through a good portion of his second-round match against Novak Djokovic, bending over repeatedly to catch his breath between points and at one stage returning to the comfort of his shaded chair without even attempting to return Djokovic's serve. Afterwards, he called the conditions 'risky' for the players, especially with the new rule restricting the time between points to 25 seconds. (Photo | AP)
Tournament director Craig Tiley said the Australian Open was one of the only events in the world to actually have a heat policy. 'The policy is from consultation with the players, and remember in most places, be it the Middle East or others parts where it is very warm, they don't have a heat policy,' he said.  (IN PIC: Billie Jean King, former ladies singles champion talks with Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley, left, during a press conference.) (Photo | AP)
Tournament director Craig Tiley said the Australian Open was one of the only events in the world to actually have a heat policy. 'The policy is from consultation with the players, and remember in most places, be it the Middle East or others parts where it is very warm, they don't have a heat policy,' he said. (IN PIC: Billie Jean King, former ladies singles champion talks with Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley, left, during a press conference.) (Photo | AP)
One of the worst years for heat at the Open was 2014, when many players were in trouble.  Among them was Blaz Kavcic who was placed on a drip. (Photo | AP)
One of the worst years for heat at the Open was 2014, when many players were in trouble. Among them was Blaz Kavcic who was placed on a drip. (Photo | AP)
Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, had issues with the heat but still advanced along with No. 19 Tomas Berdych, No. 21 Albert Ramos and No. 5 Dominic Thiem, who rallied to beat 190th-ranked American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-7 (6), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. (Photo | AP)
Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, had issues with the heat but still advanced along with No. 19 Tomas Berdych, No. 21 Albert Ramos and No. 5 Dominic Thiem, who rallied to beat 190th-ranked American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-7 (6), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. (Photo | AP)
Scorching temperatures are common at the Australian Open so much so the tournament has an extreme heat policy that allows for the referee to close the roofs on the three main show courts and suspend play on the outer courts when temperatures surpass 40 Celsius. (IN PIC: A spectator cools down in front of mist spraying fans at the Australian Open tennis championships.) (Photo | AP)
Scorching temperatures are common at the Australian Open so much so the tournament has an extreme heat policy that allows for the referee to close the roofs on the three main show courts and suspend play on the outer courts when temperatures surpass 40 Celsius. (IN PIC: A spectator cools down in front of mist spraying fans at the Australian Open tennis championships.) (Photo | AP)

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