Tennis: Heat policy put on the grille

A review of the extreme heat policy at the Australian Open could be on the agenda after several players struggled in sweltering conditions at Melbourne Park this week.

Top women's seed Maria Sharapova was left delirious as she was forced to battle for almost three hours as on-court temperatures soared towards 50C.

"Player health and wellbeing is our top priority and I was very concerned about the conditions yesterday and the potential risks to our players," Women's Tennis Association chairman Larry Scott said yesterday. "What happened yesterday is going to cause us to take another look at the heat policy.

"I don't remember conditions like that and seeing the match go on for so long.

"It's something the WTA will look more closely at."

Organisers apply their extreme heat policy when temperature tops 35C.

Under the rules, all matches that have not started are suspended on the outside courts but players already on court have to play on to the end. Those forced to play on are entitled to a 10-minute heat break after the second set.

- REUTERS