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Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
The heat is oppressive at Melbourne Park this year. With temperatures crossing the 40 degrees Celcius mark players have been literally burned out.
The Australian Open organisers have been slammed by some players, including Frank Dancevic, for forcing them to play in "inhumane" conditions. The Canadian complained after he suffered heat stroke in temperatures of 41 degrees Celcius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.
Though the heat has even derailed Melbourne’s tramlines, luckily it did not trigger a roof closure or stop of play.
Rediff.com showcases the near melt-down of players over the last three days.
Sweat drips off the head of David Ferrer of Spain as he takes a break between games during his second round match against Adrian Mannarino of France at 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Maria Sharapova of Russia cools off during a break in her first round match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan is attended to by medical staff during her first round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.
Shvedova eventually lost 7-6 (1), 6-3.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic wipes her face during her second round match against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia on Wednesday.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Ernests Gulbis of Latvia covers his face with a towel during his second round match against Sam Querrey of the United States on Wednesday.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Novak Djokovic of Serbia changes his shirt during his second round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Vesna Dolonc of Serbia cools off with ice packs during her match against Serena Williams on Wednesday.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Leonardo Mayer of Argentina wears an ice pack around his neck during his second round match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Rafael Nadal of Spain grimaces as he feels the heat during a practice session on Wednesday.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic has a drink and wears an ice towel during a break in his second round match against Kenny De Schepper of France.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Sabine Lisicki of Germany cools off during her second round match against Monica Niculescu of Romania.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Michael Llodra of France finds the heat unbearable during his first round match against Michael Berrer of Germany.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark pours water on her forehead during her second round 6-0, 6-2 victory over Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino on Tuesday.
"Was this before the heat? Jeez it was hot out there, felt like I was playing in a sauna or something," the Danish 10th seed said after her 67-minute contest.
"I was just trying to take the ice-towel as much as I could."
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Juan Martn Del Potro of Argentina sums up the players' mood in his first round match against Rhyne Williams of the United States.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Lleyton Hewitt of Australia uses a wet towel to cool down during his first round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy.
Australian Open: Stars burned out at Melbourne Park
Andy Murray of Great Britain has a drink as coach Ivan Lendl looks on during a practice session on Wednesday.