Australian Open heat: Players being sent to 'abattoir'

After Gael Monfils suspected he sustained a heat stroke in Thursday's blazing conditions, Alize Cornet crumpled to the court Friday as temperatures peaked at 40.2 degrees Celsius in Melbourne.

A visibly distressed Cornet stayed down for a few moments in her third-round match against Elise Mertens on Hisense Arena before gingerly walking to her chair and receiving medical attention.

The world No. 42 — who famously upset Serena Williams at Wimbledon four years ago — was able to continue but lost to the Belgian 7-5, 6-4. Alize Cornet was in distress at the Australian Open on Friday. Afterward Cornet said the players were being sent to the "abattoir" by being asked to play in such weather. She echoed Novak Djokovic's sentiments, too, that the tournament's extreme heat rule needed a revamp. Home hope Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov, Caroline Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina progressed to the last 16 but Jelena Ostapenko was upset, while Andreas Seppi and Kyle Edmund — opponents in the next round — defied the heat to win five setters. "They sent us a little bit to the abattoir," Cornet told French media. "I get the impression that they are waiting for a drama to change the rule, a drama that can happen anytime in these conditions.

"Maybe there can be a coalition of players and we say we are boycotting, that we're not going (to play).

"We are not robots."

The organisers didn't use the roof on any of the three courts where it was available, going against the suggestion of Rafael Nadal — who crushed 28th seed Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 and has yet to surrender a set — two days ago.

They defended their stance in a statement issued following Cornet's ample criticism. Tournament referee Wayne McKewen said the heat rule was close to being implemented Friday but that the temperature subsequently dropped.

"Protecting our players and the fairness of the competition is paramount in these conditions, which we acknowledge can be challenging," tournament director Craig Tiley said in the statement, adding that all policies are reexamined on a regular basis. "I've said before that many of the players train hard for these conditions and expect to be able to play," said Tiley. "Their preparation is admirable, and although many have found the past couple of days challenging, they've worked hard to compete at this level. The conditions of play are established prior to the event, and this includes the Extreme Heat Policy. We start the event with this set of rules and policies in place, and in the interest of fairness, can't change them halfway through. "Of course we all understand that to compete in these conditions is not easy. It's also challenging for our team, particularly those working out on court, including the ball kids and officials.

"We do everything we can to help ease everyone's discomfort in these conditions."

The tournament appeared to have a backer in likely tennis' most popular player, Roger Federer, who largely stayed out of the heat by playing in Thursday's night session but has found himself in sweltering Melbourne conditions in the past.

"We know it can be very hot here in Australia," said the 19-time grand slam winner. "I remember the days when we had four days of 40 degrees in a row a few years back. Now we got two. Most of the guys now have to play in 30-plus degrees conditions. "It's definitely a challenge. It's hard to prepare for that in some ways. But you know when you come down here that can happen.

"Sure, I'm happy I played at nighttime. But ... I would back myself playing during the daytime also. Used to go to Dubai when it was 45. Thirty eight seems almost okay.

"The problem is at that temperature, sometimes your body just reacts funny just because it does. It is hard to get out of it, that feeling of not feeling well. Sure, I was watching the other players suffer. As long as nothing bad happens, it's all good."

Thankfully for players, fans and organisers, the temperature fell to 24 degrees at 8 pm local time Friday and the forecast the rest of the event looks manageable.

However, a spike is expected next Friday, Saturday and Sunday but on those days only one singles match is scheduled and all are at night.