Hazardous air hits Aus Open qualifiers
MELBOURNE: Toxic smoke from raging bushfires hit the Australian Open build up on Tuesday as a qualifier retired with breathing difficulties and Eugenie Bouchard needed medical attention, while other players struggled in soaring pollution.
Air quality in Melbourne, habitually ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, was among the worst on the planet and described as “hazardous” by city authorities. Qualifying for the first Grand Slam of the year started late due to the conditions and Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic did not cope well, bringing an early end to her match against Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele after a coughing fit.
“I was really scared that I would collapse. That’s why I went onto the floor because I couldn’t walk anymore,” she later told reporters, with searing heat not helping. “It’s not healthy for us,” she added. “I was surprised, I thought we would not be playing today but we don’t have much choice.”
Former Australian Open semi-finalist Bouchard also had problems and needed a medical time-out after reportedly complaining of a sore chest. She recovered to win the third set and the match.
Australia’s Bernard Tomic was eliminated in the first round, saying he couldn’t breathe. “No air’s going in, I’m getting tired so easy,” Tomic told the trainer and doctor during the timeout. “It’s not like I’m the fittest guy... I just can’t breathe.”
Practice sessions on outside courts was suspended but bigname players including world No 1 Rafael Nadal were not affected, with their hit-outs going ahead on Rod Laver Arena with the roof closed.