- The bushfires that have been burning in many parts of Australia have blanketed Melbourne in a smoke haze.
- The toxic smoke in the city has been affecting tennis players in the lead up to the Australian Open, with some of them already having to seek medical treatment.
- Multiple tennis players have complained that organizers were not "better care" of them.
- Tennis Australia told Business Insider that to ensure the tournament goes on as planned, they are committing to extra resources such as hiring meteorological and air-quality experts who will monitor the weather conditions on site at all times.
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The bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales blanketed parts of the state with a smoky haze, which has been affecting tennis players in the lead up to the Australian Open.
There has been much speculation about bushfire smoke affecting the tournament, with players already being forced to abandon their qualifying matches or seek medical treatment.
But Tennis Australia, the organization behind the Open, says it has a plan to tackle the bushfire smoke.
It acknowledged that this year's conditions are "unusual and problematic," but said it has already implemented a number of measures "to ensure the Australian Open will be able to run as scheduled," a spokesperson told Business Insider in an email.
"Firstly, we have committed substantial extra resources to analysis, monitoring, and logistics to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff, and fans throughout the tournament," they said.
"There will be meteorological and air quality experts on site throughout the tournament to analyze all available live data, and assess in real-time the air quality at Melbourne Park."
Tennis Australia then plans on using the information provided by the experts, as well as advice from its medical personnel and "other local experts onsite," to make any decisions regarding play.
"We are extremely fortunate to have three roofed-stadiums and eight indoor courts at Melbourne Park," the spokesperson added. "For a number of years, this has allowed us to effectively weather-proof the Australian Open."
"While the conditions we are currently facing are unusual and problematic, we are confident we will again deliver a world-class Australian Open."
Players have already been affected by bushfire smoke
Several players have already complained to Australian Open organizers over its handling of the smoky conditions.
On Tuesday, Slovenian player Dalila Jakupovic had to abandon her Australian Open qualifying match after suffering a coughing fit caused by the bushfire smoke.
Awful scenes in Melbourne.
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 14, 2020
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
Australian player Bernard Tomic had to seek medical treatment after finding it difficult to breathe.
Bernard Tomic struggles to breathe in the Melbourne smoke haze.#9WWOS#AusOpen#Tennispic.twitter.com/zkTqPoPp8G
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 14, 2020
Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon runner-up, also said she had chest pains that felt like spikes in her lungs during her qualifier, according to The New York Times.
Jakupovic said in an interview that she was "pissed and a bit disappointed" that players were not being taken care of.
Meanwhile, British player Liam Broady, who told the Daily Mail he was "gasping for air" in his match, tweeted: "The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago, the more it boils my blood."
Tennis Australia has also had to suspend and delay practice games due to air quality concerns.
Melbourne's air quality was considered "hazardous" on Tuesday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, which forced authorities to cancel horse races and close pools.
Heavy rain fell on Melbourne on Wednesday, bringing some respite to bushfires victims and the tennis players. However, it's likely not enough to extinguish the ravaging fires, and could result in its own extreme weather.
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