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The first qualifying round of the Australian Open began Tuesday, January 14, despite air quality considered unsafe or very poor in Melbourne. Several participants expressed their indignation while Australia is affected by gigantic fires which ravage a large part of the country.
“ We don't know what consequences it could have on a player to play for three hours in this kind of pollution fog. Maybe in two months, some will start to cough. We do not know anything ! It can have long-term repercussions. We have to hope that they make the right decisions, that the health of the players remains their priority, but we cannot be sure, "explains for The Team the American Noah Rubin (23, 250th world), winner of Wimbledon juniors in 2014.
"It is not healthy for us to play in these conditions"
Qualifications for the Australian Open, one of the four grand slam tournaments, started in Melbourne in the midst of a forest fire crisis. Air pollution is the main threat to the first major meeting of the season. The smoke from the monster fires, coupled with the very high temperatures of the Australian summer, could have an impact on the health of players and spectators.
Awful scenes in Melbourne.
Dalila Jakupovic has abandoned her #AusOpen qualifying match after suffering a coughing fit while playing in thick smoke caused by the #AustralianFires. pic.twitter.com/WAJv6TzTjW
Tuesday, January 14, the Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic had to abandon the first round of qualifications, suffering from coughing fits on the court. " I was really afraid of passing out (...) It is not healthy for us to play in these conditions, " said the 180th player. A ball collector even became uneasy.
Toxic air pollution clouded the city, interrupting training sessions and slightly delaying qualifications. And the Melbourne authorities have described the level of air pollution as " dangerous " asking residents to stay locked up at home, with their windows closed, and their pets. Air quality controllers have recorded pollution 20 times higher than safety levels in parts of the city.
When we find doctors who say that playing at 45 degrees is not dangerous at the AO and referees who say that the wet grass is not slippery at Wimbledon, we must be able to find an expert who certifies that the air quality is sufficient right?
Gilles SIMON (@ GillesSimon84) January 14, 2020“ I am shocked to see that the qualifying matches started at the Australian Open. What about the health of the people who work here, especially the children who pick up the balls ? "Tweeted Luxembourg Mandy Minella. “ When we find doctors who say that playing at 45 degrees is not dangerous at the AO (Australian Open) and referees who say that wet grass is not slippery at Wimbledon, must be able to find an expert who certifies that the air quality is sufficient no, ”said the Frenchman Gilles Simon on social networks.
Maria Sharapova talks about “extreme” playing conditions
Former world number 1 Maria Sharapova, who participated in an exhibition tournament in Kooyong, a suburb of Melbourne, also preferred to give up on Tuesday, evoking " extreme " playing conditions , during her duel with the German Laura Siegemund.
Will the organizers have to resolve to cancel one of the main sporting events of the year in Australia? The Australian Open is one of the four major tournaments of the season with the US Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Tournament boss Craig Tiley brushed off critics saying " everyone has received an email, " explaining that any decision is made after expert consultation. Tiley said last week that a cancellation of the Australian Open, which would be a first since World War II, was unlikely, while Novak Djokovic, president of the Players' Council at ATP, had considered that this question should be asked.
Air pollution prevented two sports competitions in December. A sailing race in Sydney Bay and a cricket match in Canberra have been canceled. The fires have killed at least 27 people to date.