Daniil Medvedev has become the latest player to voice their concern over playing in the humid conditions at the Tokyo Olympics.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist was seen visibly struggling with the heat throughout his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, win over Italy’s Fabio Fognini. Temperatures at the Ariake Tennis Centre has been under the spotlight since the tournament began with Novak Djokovic openly questioning why matches can’t be delayed until later in the day when it is cooler.
Midway through the second set of his match Medvedev was asked by umpire Carlos Ramos if he was okay. Prompting him to reply ‘“I’m fine. I can finish the match but I can die. If I die will the ITF (governing body International Tennis Federation) take responsibility?” The 25-year-old was seen leaning over between points in order to get his breath. The extreme weather policy was in force which allows players to leave the court for 10 minutes after the first two sets. Both Medvedev and Fognini opted to do so.
“Even from the first set, I didn’t feel good enough with my breathing. That’s why I called the physio. I felt like my diaphragm had blocked. I couldn’t breathe properly. I think it was the most humid day we have had so far,” Medvedev said via the Olympic News Service.
“Then, in the second set, I just had darkness in my eyes, like between every point I didn’t know what to do to feel better. I was bending over, and I couldn’t get my breathing together. I was ready to just fall down on the court.”
It wasn’t just Medvedev who suffered in the conditions. Spain’s Paula Badosa was forced to retire during her match against Marketa Vondrousova and required a wheelchair to be helped off the court. It was evident that she was suffering from heat stroke during her match which was played in the middle of the day.
There are indications that officials might be pondering a change to their schedule amid the concerns being raised by players but there has been no official confirmation so far.
“All the players I know said this is not normal to start at 11. And so he (DJOKOVIC) went to ITF (International Tennis Federation) and talked to them, and they gave him reasons … I heard maybe from tomorrow they’re going to change it, but let’s see.” Medvedev revealed.
It wasn’t just the weather which irritated Medvedev at the Olympics on Wednesday. He also had a run in with one reporter who questioned him about Russia’s doping controversy. The country is currently banned from the Games after being found guilty of state-sponsored doping at previous high-profile sporting events. Instead, Russian athletes who have proven they are not part of the scandal are competing neutrally under ROC (Russian Olympic Committee) but their national flag and anthem is banned from the Games.
Speaking to reporters, Medvedev was bemused when questioned if the scandal has left a dark cloud over team ROC.
“Are Russian athletes carrying a stigma of cheaters in these games and how do you feel about it?” The journalist said.
Caught off guard, Medvedev blasted the question and went as far as calling for the journalist to be excluded from the Games.
“First time in my life I’m not gonna answer a question. You should be embarrassed of yourself. I think you should wire him from the Olympics, I don’t wanna see him again,” he replied.
Medvedev will play Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in the quarter-finals in Tokyo.
