Serena Williams says heat was making her paranoid with the world number one waking up during the night to keep hydrated and avoid cramp
Melbourne: Serena Williams yesterday said the Australian Open heat was making her paranoid with the world number one waking up during the night to keep hydrated and avoid cramp.
Serena Williams
The top seed played in 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) conditions and said the thought of it kept her awake overnight after players fainted and vomited in the heat on Tuesday.
“It was definitely really hot today. I just tried to take it in my stride and do the best that I could,” she said after cruising into the third round with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Serbia’s Vesna Dolonc.
Asked if she was doing anything special to prepare for the oven-like conditions, she said: “Just drinking a lot, making sure I stay hydrated.
“I kept waking up in the middle of the night last night, just paranoid. I just wanted to stay hydrated,” she added.
“The last thing I want to do is to cramp in this weather. It can happen so easy. Just drinking a tremendous amount of water.”
Could’ve died: Dodig
Ivan Dodig feared he might die as sweltering conditions continued at the Australian Open.
“I was thinking I could maybe even die here,” said Dodig, calling for an afternoon break in play. “It’s not acceptable to play in these conditions,” he added, according to reports.
Dodig’s complaints follow dismal scenes on Tuesday, when Frank Dancevic blacked out, China’s Peng Shuai vomited and a ball boy collapsed. — AFP
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
