“I just can’t breathe”: Smoke chokes tennis stars as they slam decision to play Australian Open qualifiers
The tennis world has slammed Australian Open organisers after they chose to proceed with qualifying matches on Tuesday despite Melbourne being covered in hazardous smoke.
Due to poor air quality because of bushfires, qualifying matches were forced to be delayed yesterday morning but were later on given the green light to go ahead.
But the dangerous conditions affected the players, who came together to condemn the decision to let play unfold.
Aussie Bernard Tomic lost in the first round of qualifying for the year’s first grand slam, which begins on Monday, and required medical attention as he struggled to breathe.
The former world No. 17 was defeated by American Denis Kudla in straight sets 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 at Melbourne Park where he slowly lost control after a promising start.
Tomic asked to see a doctor at 1-2 in the second set, and said he was having difficulty breathing. The doctor gave him an inhaler and checked his chest with a stethoscope, before allowing him to resume.
“I just can’t breathe,” he said.
He wasn’t the only one who had difficulty, as Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic fell to the ground on court due to a coughing fit. She was forced to retire from the match which had gone for close to two hours.
Jakupovic criticised Australian Open officials, saying the conditions weren’t safe for matches to go ahead. She told CNN players were “p***ed and disappointed because we thought they would take better care of us”.
“I think it was not fair because it’s not healthy for us,” she told reporters.
“I was surprised. I thought we would not be playing today but we really don’t have much choice.
“If they don’t put us on the court, maybe we get fined – I don’t know.
“It would be maybe better to see if tomorrow is better. They still have time.
“It was really bad. I never experienced something like this and I was really scared. I was scared that I would collapse. That’s why I went on the floor. Because I couldn’t walk anymore. When I was on the ground it was easier to get some air.”
The Slovenian then made an appearance on Channel 9’s Today show and further reinstated that she had never faced conditions like that before.
“I have no asthma or breathing problems. I never experienced something like this,” she said. “I mean, it was really scary. I couldn’t breathe.
“I didn’t know what to do … I was really scared, I have to say.
“I understand no one from us had these kind of conditions before. We’re used to pollution, like we play in China and play in more polluted countries. Smoke is something different. For sure we’re not used to it.
“Citizens and everyone were advised to stay inside. We didn’t expect we’d be playing yesterday.
“It was a bit shocking.”