TENNIS star Holger Rune declared “do you want a player to die on court?” as he called for a major rule change.
The Dane was left struggling for fitness while playing at the Shanghai Masters this week.
Rune had to be treated by a doctor and a physio as temperatures hit 34C in yesterday’s win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Humidity also hit 80 per cent on the tennis court.
And Rune was left fuming with officials as he asked one: “Do you want a player to die on court?”
The ace’s anger came as Novak Djokovic vomited on court while complaining about Shanghai’s “brutal conditions.”
Jannik Sinner was forced to retire after being left with painful cramps affecting his ability to walk.
Conditions were similar 500 miles west at the Wuhan Open, with Emma Raducanu retiring from her match with dizziness and Jelena Ostapenko quitting due to heat stroke.
After his match, Rune asked why there were no heat rules in place to protect players in ATP matches.
Grand Slam tournaments allow players to take a 10-minute break before the final set in hot conditions, while play can also be suspended.
But no such conditions were available in Shanghai.
Rune said: “It’s a very good question. Every player would agree (to a rule change).
“We can handle a certain amount of heat, because we’re strong and mentally strong as well, but there is always a limit.
“It’s also important to take care of your health. We need to survive.”
Terence Atmane also opened up on the issues faced in Shanghai after retiring from his first-round match last week.
He said: “After the first point of the match both of my hands were shaking.
“After the second game and a comfortable 2-0 lead I immediately felt my entire body shaking and I was suffocating after every point.
“The heat stress I’ve faced today could have been worse than losing my consciousness for an hour and just rapid heartbeat…”
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