• Australian Open

Canadian player and ball boy collapse at Australian Open

ESPN staff
January 14, 2014
Caroline Wozniacki cools down at the change of ends © Getty Images
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Canada's Frank Dancevic and a ball boy required medical attention on day two of the Australian Open after the temperature in Melbourne reached 42 degrees Celsius.

Dancevic fainted during his encounter against Benoit Paire, while a ball boy also fainted in the Milos Raonic v Daniel Gimeno-Traver match.

"Having players with so many problems and complaining to the tournament that it's too hot to play, until somebody dies, they just keep going on with it and putting matches on in this heat," a very angry Dancevic said.

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"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 out. 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."

In her first round victory, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said of the heat: "I put the bottle down on the court and it started melting a little bit underneath, the plastic, so you knew it was warm."

Peng Shuai meanwhile struggled with cramp, and vomited in her match against Kurumi Nara, and was harshly given a warning for time wasting when she revealed she could not move.

Tim Wood, chief medical officer for the tournament, said there was no risk to the players, saying: "A lot of people get hot and look distressed. The actual risk to the health is relatively small compared with other sports."

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