Soaring temperatures in New York have forced the US Open to introduce a new rule that applies to men’s matches for the first time.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced the fresh guidelines with temperatures expected to rise to 97 degrees on Tuesday. In the men’s matches, players are allowed to take a 10-minute break after three sets. Something that has never been done before. In contrast, the women already have a heat policy they followed and was used on Monday. Allowing them to take a 10-minute break after two sets.
“Upon the recommendation of the US Open medical team, the Extreme Heat Policy will be implemented immediately for Men’s matches. The men will be offered a 10-minute break between the third and fourth set.” The USTA said in a statement.
Some players have already succumbed to the weather on the second day of the grand slam. Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis retired during his match against Hyeon Chung due to ‘heat illness.’ Meanwhile Italy’s Stefano Travaglia withdrew due to cramping. Marin Cilic’s opponent, Marius Copril, also retired during the third set after having a 5-1 lead in the first.
“Conditions definitely were extremely tough and very humid, very hot. The ball was flying a bit more than usual, so I was having just more trouble to control it, especially in the beginning.” said cilic.
Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was also suffering in the heat. Taking a medical time out during the second set and appeared weary on the court.
Djokovic asks for a bin to be put beside him in case he throws up.
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) August 28, 2018
Sharing her opinion about playing in the tough conditions, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko admitted that she struggled. The Latvian required more than two hours to defeat Andrea Petkovic in her opening match.
“The conditions were difficult today. It was very humid and also very hot, but it was the same for both of us. I mean, we had to deal with it.” Ostapenko explained during her press conference.
Caroline Wozniacki said she was ‘lucky’ to have the shade protecting her during her clash with Sam Stosur. The Second seed was the first to play on the Arthur Ashe stadium on Tuesday.
“It was very hot conditions, for sure. I just tried to stay cool.” She said.
“We got a little lucky. Normally I’m like, ‘Oh, the shade, I’m not sure.’ But today the shade was really helpful to be able to just cool down a little bit, was definitely much cooler on the side with the shade, so that helped.
“Other than that, it was just about trying to think cool thoughts and drink a lot of water and be well prepared.”
The hot weather is set to continue into Wednesday. Later in the week the temperature has been forecasted to drop, but thunderstorms could threatened play at Flushing Meadows.
