Tennis player Daniil Medvedev asked a troubling question amid the high temperatures and humidity at Wednesday’s Tokyo Olympics.
World No. 2 Medvedev is competing for the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). 2 Medvedev seemed to be having trouble during his third-round singles match against Fabio Fognini from Italy.
Carlos Ramos, the chair umpire, asked Medvedev whether he would like to continue playing. He replied that he was a fighter and would finish the match. But he could die. ITF (International Tennis Federation), will take (sic?) responsibility if I die?”
After suffering heatstroke, Paula Badosa of Spain was forced to leave the court Wednesday afternoon in a wheelchair.
Badosa lost the first set, 6-3, before needing a medical timeout to allow him to start the second set.
After extensive treatment, Badosa was ineligible to continue the match and was forced to retire.
Badosa stated that he had suffered heat stroke and was unable to compete in the match. He made these comments in Tokyo 2020.
“It was a shame that I had to terminate my participation in this manner. We tried to adapt from the beginning, but the body is not resisting as well as it should.
Vondrousova stated that she was taking extra measures to address the conditions after the match.
She said, “I use the ice towels in matches and also the air tube… It’s very nice.” “I also have some gels.”
Tokyo temperatures reached the upper 80s Fahrenheit Wednesday.
According to Daily Reuters, “There is still a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”
Medvedev, 25, addressed the conditions following the match. He won 1-6 6-1 3-3.
“Even after the first set, my breathing was not good enough. I called the physio. I felt like my diaphragm had blocked. I couldn’t even breathe. “I think it was the hottest day we’ve had thus far,” he stated in Tokyo 2020 comments.
“Then, on my second set, I felt like I was in darkness. I didn’t know how to feel better between each point. I was bent over and couldn’t keep my breath together. I wanted to fall on the court.
In a post-match interview, Fognini said that the conditions were “really difficult”. He said that it was difficult to play at 11 am in this humid environment.
Medvedev stated that he took a cold shower in the break between sets, which helped him feel better.
Medvedev was asked if he believed the roof should be removed to improve the conditions. Instead, he suggested that matches should begin later in the morning.
“I said it in the first round, and I’ll continue saying it,” said Medvedev, who is known as one of the most outspoken and controversial players in men’s tennis.
The world’s No. After his win in the first round, Novak Djokovic called the conditions “brutal”. He also said that he agreed to Medvedev’s request to change matches to later in the day.
However, players claim they don’t feel any adverse effects.
Ashleigh Barty, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty said that “We’re Aussies. We’re alright.”
The ITF announced schedule changes late Wednesday. Matches will begin at 3 p.m. (local time) starting on Thursday.
According to the ITF, the decision was taken “in the best interests of player welfare” after “extensive consultation” among players, referees, and medical experts.
ITF reminded players that they can request 10-minute breaks during play if temperatures exceed 30.1degC (86 F).
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Mark Adams, the spokesperson of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated that a “whole array of measures are being undertaken” to combat the heat.
Adams mentioned the decision to move Sapporo’s marathon and race walk, which is 400 miles north from Tokyo, as well as moving events such a 5,000-meter athletics to later in that day.
Adams stated that tennis judges were wearing “cooling underneath armor that cools down” and that there are many “ingenious solutions” that allow events to proceed.
Adams stated that while there have been some minor problems, so far everything seems to be going well.
Tokyo hosted the Olympics for the first time in 1964 in October when it was cooler. Reuters reports that broadcasting requirements now require that the Games be held in July or August, which is a more convenient time for television networks.