LIAM BROADY blasted Aussie Open chiefs for playing qualifiers in bushfire smog, saying: The decision has boiled my blood.
The British star has described an email sent to players defending the decision to allow play at Melbourne Park despite poor air quality as a slap in the face.
Broady, 26, was left gasping for air as he lost to Belarusian Ilya Ivashka in qualifying on Tuesday.
Other players have had treatment on court and reported breathing difficulties and headaches.
And American qualifier Noah Rubin claims he had blood and black stuff coming out of his nose after his defeat.
The British No. 6 said: The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago, the more it boils my blood. We cant let this slide.
The email we received yesterday from the ATP and AO was a slap in the face. Conditions were playable. Were they healthy?
Citizens of Melbourne were warned to keep their animals indoors the day I played qualifying, and yet we were expected to go outside for high-intensity physical competition?
What do we have to do to create a players union? Where is the protection for players, both male and female?
On Tour we let so many things go that aren’t right but at some point we have to make a stand.
All players need protection not just a select few.
Rubin, a former Wimbledon junior champion, told the BBC: A lot of players have been feeling it in the throat and eyes.
It cant be healthy breathing it in.
Its left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths almost literally.
Bullish tournament chief Craig Tiley is confident the event will start on time on Monday and finish by the evening of Sunday Feb 2.
He said: There is a lot of speculation about the Australian Open not happening, or starting later. The Australian Open is happening.
This is about trusting the medical advice and trusting the expertise and scientific advice of the people who analyse this every day.
The safety, the wellbeing and the health of the players is the priority for us, as with our staff and our fans.
Tiley says the tournament use a special PM2.5 concentrate reading for air-quality.
And if air pollution readings exceed a hazardous level of 200 during the next two weeks, Tennis Australia plan to suspend play.
The event will then continue on the three main courts with roofs.
The weather was much improved on Thursday with south-westernly winds clearing the city of smog from intense bushfires in Victoria.
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