Tennis stars fume over heat

2008-08-06 10:30

Beijing - Soaring heat and humidity and choking pollution have hit the build-up to the Olympic tennis tournament with top stars lining up to complain.

With big-name players sweating through practices in sauna conditions, the temperature - and overhanging smog - have been the main talking points at the open-air Olympic Green Tennis Centre.

Incoming world number one Rafael Nadal, dripping with sweat during a practice match with Fernando Gonzalez, accidentally broke a racquet when it slipped out of his hand on serve.

Women's number two Ana Ivanovic appeared exhausted during a work-out on Wednesday, doubling up on court to catch her breath.

And players beaded with perspiration have been towelling off and drinking gallons of liquid as they go through their routines in the oppressive heat.

Gonzalez, who is bidding to defend his doubles title with Nicolas Massu, admitted conditions were extremely difficult with temperatures of up to 34 deg C (93 deg F) and unpalatable smog.

"The conditions are really tough with the pollution and it's really hot. We don't have too many days to adapt so I hope to be much better than today," he said.

'It's tough'

Slovakian beauty Daniela Hantuchova said she had never experienced such heat.

"It's tough. It's maybe the hottest weather I've experienced," she said. "Hopefully it can cool down."

Meanwhile Australia's Samantha Stosur said conditions were "pretty rough" and among the most difficult all season.

"It is very hot and very humid and the sun isn't even out yet so I'm sure it will probably only get worse from here," Stosur said.

"It is unpredictable and probably the hottest conditions we are going to play in all year."

The heat and humidity of a Beijing summer, along with chronic pollution, have been major concerns for participants in the Beijing Games, which open on Friday.

Games complex

Many athletes arriving in the Chinese capital have expressed concern about air quality, including four members of the US cycling team who wore masks as they emerged from the city's airport.

On Wednesday, much of the Games complex was just a blur from Olympic Green, just over two kilometres away.

According to Australia's Alicia Molik, heat and pollution were all part and parcel of playing in China.

"I've been in China seven or eight times. I'm very used to playing in the heat and experiencing the thick air," she said.

"Tennis players are used to experiencing so many things. It's just something that you have to get on board with and work around.

And Tommy Robredo hoped the heat would give Spanish players an edge.

"We already just came from Cincinnati, but here it's really hot. It's really humid," Robredo said.

"Because the weather in Spain is so hot I think the Spanish players will be in better condition physically and that will be an advantage."

- AFP