Djokovic makes plea over extreme heat

Novak Djokovic believes players were asked to push their physical limits yesterday after opponent Gael Monfils complained of suffering heat-stroke.

The thermometer edged towards 40C in the shade as Djokovic and Monfils took to a sunbaked Rod Laver Arena for their second round match, which the six-time champion eventually won 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3.

Monfils began to really suffer during the second set, repeatedly doubling over and not attempting to return serve during one game.

The Frenchman rated the conditions the toughest he has ever played in, saying: “For sure, we took a risk. I got super dizzy. I think I had a small heat-stroke for 40 minutes. I tried to cool down. But even with the ice towel, the water, I think my body was super warm.”

The Australian Open has an extreme heat policy but it does not come into effect until the temperature hits 40C, while a decision on whether play continues also depends on the humidity.

Djokovic, who is reportedly behind the idea of forming a separate players’ union, made a plea for the health of the players to be put first.

He said: “You work and train hard to be able to sustain these kind of conditions, to be tough. But I think there is a limit, and that is a level of tolerance between being fit and being in danger in terms of health. It was right at the limit.”

Defending champion Roger Federer benefited from playing in the relative cool of the evening and emerged an ultimately comfortable 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) winner over Jan-Lennard Struff.

Federer next faces Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Stan Wawrinka’s comeback ended with a 6-2 6-1 6-4 loss to American Tennys Sandgren.

The 2014 champion was back in action for the first time since Wimbledon after undergoing surgery on his left knee and had only decided that he would definitely play on Saturday.

Fifth seed Dominic Thiem came from two sets down to beat Denis Kudla 6-7 (6-8) 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 while seventh seed David Goffin was beaten 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 7-6 (7-4) by French veteran Julien Benneteau.

Juan Martin del Potro was also tested but defeated Russian Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 6-7 (0/7) 6-4.