Fainting, vomiting as Aus Open players struggle in 'inhuman' heat

January 14, 2014 15:50

Players fainted and vomited and a ball boy collapsed as the Australian Open boiled in one of the hottest days in its history today, prompting angry complaints and keeping fans away in droves.

Temperatures of 42 Celsius, enough to melt plastic bottles on the rubberised courts, made for a punishing day for the players with some incensed their matches went ahead.

Canada's Frank Dancevic lashed out at the "inhumane" playing conditions after he blacked out and needed treatment during his first-round defeat to Benoit Paire.

"I think it's inhuman, 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, passing out," he said.

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