With the health crisis, other issues concerning the health of the athletes participating in these Olympic Games have taken a back seat. In the middle of summer, Tokyo can turn into a real furnace. Coupled with high humidity linked to the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, we obtain a grueling cocktail for athletes. Difficult conditions which are making live an ordeal for tennis players and tennis players. “
The conditions are really tough. Today (Saturday) was truly the hottest day (since we arrived). And with the added humidity, it's really brutal. Especially since the hard courts absorb all that, and the heat remains locked in
“, Complained in particular the world number 1, Novak Djokovic.
This Wednesday again, the mercury rose to around 35 degrees, with an even more significant feeling.
With 70 to 80% humidity in the air, athletes suffer terribly.
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Daniil Medvevdev, the world number 2, opposed to Fabio Fognini in the round of 16 on Wednesday, addressed his concerns to the referee in the middle of the match. “
It's the heat! What can I do about it? I will finish the match but I can die. If I die who will be responsible?
», He launched. Despite this heatstroke, the Russian won in three sets against the Italian, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. The Spanish Paula Badosa, she literally fell victim to the heat. The 23-year-old had to be evacuated in a wheelchair, towel over her head, after the first set as she faced Marketa Vondrousova in the quarter-finals. The 29th player in the world has never returned to the court. Few days ago,she had already denounced these extreme conditions in the Japanese capital: “
We have never played in such extreme conditions. In Australia or at the US Open, it's also very hot, but here what 'kills' you the most is the humidity which exhausts you,
”she explained.
Novak Djokovic, very involved in the well-being of his colleagues, has already proposed solutions to fight against the heat: “
What can be done is to delay the start of the matches until the afternoon and to play until midnight
”, he proposed whereas the meetings currently begin at 11 am local. “
I heard there was a midnight curfew here for tennis, but even like that (...) it still leaves us seven hours to play. There is light on the courts. I don't understand why they don't shift. It would make life easier for a lot of tennis players here.
», Continued the last winner of Wimbledon. For now, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has put in place the 30 minute rest during side changes (reduced to just one minute just before the tournament). There is also a ten minute break between the second and third set. "
The protocol on high temperatures was put in place this Saturday, when the temperature exceeded 30.1 degrees,
" said the ITF.
Difficulties that make the business of some athletes, who are used to playing in these heat. “
It's great to play in these conditions. I grew up playing in the heat,
”jubilated Maria Sakkari, the Greek player, yet eliminated by Elina Svitolina on Tuesday in the round of 16. Other sports also suffer from Japanese temperatures and humidity. The Russian Svetlana Gombeova thus fainted during the qualifications of the archery event.
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