Tennis star Daniil Medvedev has sounded the alarm on the extreme heat conditions at the US Open, warning that it could one day prove to be lethal. His comments come after temperatures in New York City approached 100 degrees during his quarterfinals win over Andrey Rublev.
Struggles and Visible Discomfort
The scorching heat visibly took its toll on both Medvedev and Rublev during their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rublev, 25, was seen leaning on his racket in exhaustion and breathing heavily, while 27-year-old Medvedev attempted to cool himself by using cold towels on his head during breaks. Cameras captured Medvedev complaining about the heat while wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Concerned Fans and Social Media Reaction
Worried tennis fans took to social media to express their sympathy for the players, with one person stating, "This was brutal to watch. I can't imagine what it was like for them on the court." Another wrote, "They really did both look like they were dying out there," while a third expressed, "This is so, so dangerous. It's actually quite scary."
Medvedev's Insight and Challenges
After defeating Rublev in straight sets, Medvedev shed light on the difficulties he faced on the court. He described the conditions as "brutal" and revealed that he couldn't see the ball anymore towards the end of the first set. Despite the challenges, Medvedev pushed through, emphasizing that both players suffered.
Heat Advisory and Illnesses
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for New York City until September 7, due to the scorching heat and humidity. The 2023 US Open has been particularly demanding for tennis stars, with some players falling ill. Tunisia's Ons Jabeur battled flu-like symptoms and described herself as feeling like "a zombie" before her Round of 16 loss to Qinwen Zheng.
