The hottest year of grand slam tennis on record will reach a blessedly more temperate conclusion this weekend, with the scorching heat at the US Open set to die away.
This will be a relief for all concerned, including Novak Djokovic, who called for action to be taken about ventilation on the Arthur Ashe Stadium after describing 'sauna' like conditions in his quarter-final.
On Friday, the 31-year-old Serb will take on Japan's Kei Nishikori for a place in the final, while Rafael Nadal will reprise his outstanding Wimbledon encounter against Juan Martin Del Potro.
Novak Djokovic struggles in the 'sauna' conditions during his US Open quarter-final clash
Djokovic's straight sets win over John Millman was marked by more heat dramas as the Australian asked to change clothes in the middle of the second set.
'I think that this tournament needs to address this,' said the Wimbledon champion. 'Whether it's night or day, we just don't have air down there. It feels like a sauna.'
Heat has been a theme running through every grand slam this year. A heatwave hit the Australian Open, sending temperatures over a 100F for several days; the French Open was marked by cloying humidity; Wimbledon baked like it was 1976 all over again, while there have been multiple player distress stories at Flushing Meadows.
That has partly been due to the giant retractable roof put on the Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago. When first introduced the main issue was crowd noise getting trapped in and causing a distraction, now it is the lack of air circulating in the steaming heat and humidity.
Djokovic endued temperatures approaching 100F and 100 per cent humidity on Thursday
The Serbian complained of the lack of air available at court level in the Arthur Ashes Stadium
Djokovic was left smiling incredulously as temperatures continued to soar on Thursday night
'I personally have never sweated as much as I have here. Incredible. I have to take at least 10 shirts for every match,' said Djokovic. 'It's literally after two games you're soaking. I asked the chair umpire whether they are using some form of ventilation or air conditioning down at the court level side, and then he says that he's not aware of it.
'Obviously it's fantastic to have the roof. We are grateful that we have the roof, because then the rain will not interrupt the matches. But there is no circulation of the air at all, especially court level.'
One measure already taken has been to wedge open the ground level doors at each corner that lead onto the stadium.
A spokesperson for the US Tennis Association said: 'We are trying to create greater air circulation by keeping all four doors open. We are facing unusually hot and humid conditions this year, and we will explore ways of stimulating air flow in the stadium bowl following the 2018 US Open. '
John Millman (right) left the court in order the get a new change of clothes during the match
A further factor has been the courts being slowed down slightly this year, leading to longer rallies.
One issue is that the 24,000-seat Ashe stadium is not, unlike Wimbledon's Centre Court, entirely closed to the elements. The main arena at SW19 is air-conditioned when the roof is closed, and requires so much power that a whole new electricity sub-station needed to be built when it was introduced.
Djokovic has a 14-2 record over Nishikori, but one of the Japanese speedster's two wins came in the US Open semi-final four years ago. Nadal has played Del Potro in three of the four previous Grand Slams and won each time. The formbook suggests a very familiar look to the men's final.
The women's semi-finals were being played last night.
Djokovic wants the US Open organisers to make changes to counter the heat in the future
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/06/us-open-heatwave-finally-set-to-end-but-novak-djokovic-demands-action/
Main photo article The hottest year of grand slam tennis on record will reach a blessedly more temperate conclusion this weekend, with the scorching heat at the US Open set to die away.
This will be a relief for all concerned, including Novak Djokovic, who called for action to be taken about ventilation on the...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/06/16/4FC247F700000578-6139605-image-a-28_1536249333688.jpg
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