Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe sent an emotional message to the USTA after Russian pro Daniil Medvedev warned that a player was going to die due to playing conditions and intense heat at the this year’s US Open.
McEnroe – a four-time US Open champion who is currently working as an analyst for ESPN at the grand slam – expressed concern after seeing Medvedev and Andrey Rublev drenched in sweat in 93-degree heat and sweltering humidity during their match quarter-final. Wednesday.
“Those poor guys today… they looked like they were about to drop,” McEnroe said on the show, according to Larry Brown Sports. “In a way, it’s not human.
“I’m sorry. Please USTA, in the future I seriously think we should close the roof.
McEnroe added that the US Open should strive to showcase “the best tennis player, not a war of attrition.”
Medvedev, who was seen doubled at one point, won in straight sets.
McEnroe made his appeal to the USTA – the United States Tennis Association, which is the governing body of tennis – from a remote location when he tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
McEnroe’s brother Patrick also said the roof should be closed when heat conditions are a concern during day games.
The retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows was open for Wednesday’s matches, which marked the hottest day of the 2023 US Open.
The roof was closed in case of rain, but not in case of excessive heat.
Medvedev looked exhausted during the quarter-final match and reportedly used his inhaler at times when changing sides.
The 27-year-old was seen shirtless between sets with a wet towel draped over his head.
Players used ice wrapped in plastic bags or wrapped in towels to stay cool.
Medvedev said the conditions were “brutal”, but said he didn’t think there was much to do.
“I’m not sure what we can do,” he said. “Because we probably can’t stop the tournament for four days – because it’s been, what, three, four days, it’s been brutal like that? ‘Because then that ruins everything: the TV, even the tickets, everything. It ruins everything.
Medvedev, who will face top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Friday’s semi-final, added that he needed an ice bath and something to eat after leaving the field.
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