Yahoo News Daniil Medvedev Says Brutal Heat at US Open Is So ‘Dangerous’ a Player ‘Is Gonna Die’
The Russian tennis star ultimately defeated fellow countryman Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that saw Medvedev using an inhaler and consulting a doctor
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Daniil Medvedev had strong words for the extreme heat at the US Open on Wednesday.
“You cannot imagine," the Russian tennis star, 27, said to a courtside camera mid-match, according to the Associated Press. "One player [is] gonna die, and they’re gonna see,” he said, referring to the spectators.
With temperatures soaring into the mid-90’s and the oppressive humidity seemingly unbearable for both players and fans, Medvedev doubled down on his opinion after the match, in which he defeated fellow countryman Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
“The only thing that is a little bit, let’s call it dangerous, is that the question is: How far could we go?” he mused to reporters.
He continued, “I’m not sure what can we do. Because probably we cannot stop the tournament for four days — because it’s been, what, three, four days it’s been brutal like this? — because then it basically ruins everything: the TV, even the tickets, everything. It ruins everything. So I don’t think this could be done.”
At one point during the match, the No. 3 ranked player used an inhaler, and he was even checked out by a doctor, per the AP.
“At the end of the first set, I couldn’t see the ball anymore,” Medvedev said.
Sarah Stier/Getty
He added, about how he then assessed his good friend Rublev’s condition, which was seemingly just as dire: “Wow. It seems like he cannot run anymore.”
The quarterfinal match was not the only one affected by the high temps.
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A new United States Tennis Association rule allowed the retractable roof to be partially closed at Arthur Ashe Stadium — which unintentionally created shadows across the court, according to USA Today.
After losing to Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4, Zheng Qinwen — who previously defeated US Open 2022 runner up Ons Jabeur — said the impacted sight lines caused havoc for her.
But not apparently for Sabalenka, who will now play American Madison Keys in a semifinal match Thursday.
“I mean, it was hot, but because I did my preparation in Florida — I mean, what can be worse than Florida?” Sabalenka said. “I mean, in July and June, you know. So I think that’s really (helping) me today to stay strong and (not) really get tired because of the heat.”
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