Australia experienced one of the hottest days in it’s history yesterday, as temperatures soared to a sizzling 42,2 Celsius.

Players toiled away in the sweltering heat, as the occasional ball boy dropped to the ground, fainted or vomited. It got to a point where the players’ plastic water bottles began to melt and warp on the rubberised courts.

Canada’s Frank Dancevic blacked out during his match with Benoit Paire, and needed treatment before he could carry on. He said that:

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, passing out.

Having players with so many problems and complaining to the tournament that it’s too hot to play… until somebody dies, they’re just keep going on with it and putting matches on in this heat.

Chinese player Peng Shuai cramped and vomited during her loss to Japan’s Kurumi Nara. While she was taking a breather to recuperate, the match officials punished her for ‘time wasting’. Chief medical officer Tim Wood was unfazed:

Of course there were a few players who experienced heat-related illness or discomfort, but none required significant medical intervention after they had completed their match.

So, basically, no mercy until it’s too late.

[Source : Yahoo!]