Australia fires: Dalila Jakupovic 'scared I would collapse' because of 'unhealthy' air quality

Dalila Jakupovic says she was "really scared" as she retired from her Australian Open qualifying match because of the "unhealthy" air quality from ongoing bushfires in the country.

The Slovenian world number 180 had to be helped off court after she retired at 6-5 5-6 against Swiss Stefanie Vogele in the first round in Melbourne.

"It was really bad. I never experienced something like this," Jakupovic said.

"I was really scared I would collapse because I couldn't walk any more."

Qualifying was delayed by an hour on Tuesday and practice was temporarily suspended because of the air quality.

Organisers said the conditions were expected to improve and would be "monitored constantly".

Asked about the decision to continue with qualifying, Jakupovic said: "I think it was not fair because it's not healthy for us.

"I was surprised. I thought we would not be playing today but we really don't have much choice."

People in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors and keep pets inside on Tuesday.

At least 28 people have died and an estimated 10 million hectares (100,000 sq km) of land has burned since 1 July.

Jakupovic added: "I'm angry and sad. I'm more sad because I had the win [in my grasp] and I just couldn't finish it.

"I don't have asthma even and I don't have breathing problems from the heat. I was scared."

Australian Open organisers said prior to Jakupovic's retirement: "Further decisions will be made based on onsite data, and in close consultation with our medical team, the Bureau of Meteorology and scientists from EPA Victoria.

"As always the health and safety of our players, our staff and our fans is our priority."

Eugenie Bouchard also left the court during her qualifying match against You Xiaodi, complaining of a sore chest. The Canadian returned after a medical timeout and won 4-6 7-6 6-1.

Australia weather forecast: air quality should improve

Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova's exhibition match in Kooyong, which is in the east of the city, was called off after both players complained about the air quality.

The Russian was trailing Germany's Laura Siegemund 7-6 5-5 when the match was ended.

"I started feeling a cough coming toward the end of the second set but I've been sick for a few weeks so I thought that had something to do with it," Sharapova told broadcasters after the match.

"But then I heard Laura speak to the umpire and she said she was struggling with it as well.

"We were out there for over two hours, so from a health standpoint it's the right call from officials."

Maria Sharapova's exhibition match was ended early because of the air quality

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Players rarely have any cause for complaint when they arrive at Melbourne Park each year, but this seems a clear unforced error by the Australian Open.

Victoria's Environment Protection Authority was warning Melburnians to stay indoors, and keep windows and door shut.

It rated the air quality "very poor" - which is a sign "everyone could be experiencing symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath".

The decision to continue playing appears all the more surprising given Tennis Australia issued a statement on Tuesday morning stressing that the health and safety of players, staff and fans is always their priority.

And there should have been no great urgency. The wind is due to change direction on Wednesday, and even though some rain is forecast, there is ample time to complete three rounds of qualifying before the main draw begins on Monday.

Australia's Bernard Tomic had his breathing checked by a trainer during his qualifying defeat

Spectator in Melbourne — Melbourne residents were advised to stay indoors on Tuesday

MCG — Smoke from the bushfires could be seen over the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena

Qualifying was delayed by an hour in Melbourne because of the poor air quality

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383 comments

If the health of the players and staff was top priority you would not be playing period.
It looks to the World the the organiser are more interested in the money than the players health. Locals are told to stay indoors and the players are told to risk their lives!
I think it should have been delayed or even cancelled this year. The prize money could have paid any who lose out who work at the event with the rest going to support the Bush fire appeal
For once the show must go on should not apply here
Anyone else having problems liking/disliking comments or reading older comments? Like if agree
There are two choices here.

Either kit all the players out in full firefighters' breathing apparatus or cancel the tournament as there are far more important things in Oz at the moment.

I know which one makes more sense.
anyone else not able to click oldest / highest / lowest rated tabs ?
24. Come on - nothing to do with pampered tennis players. I think this is a unique situation where the long term health of the players is paramount. Remember - it's both extreme heat and smoke they have to deal with. I think there should be serious consideration to delay or even cancel the tournament.
There was uproar that Sidney fireworks went ahead. Holding this tournament is putting players, spectators and officials health at risk. Stop it now.
Pretty obvious they need to cancel

If the players have any sense they will organise a walkout
Seems the HYS is broken, I can't scroll down comments and can't click on highest rated to move screens all i can do is look at the comments 161 to 175 ...BBC sort this out please its affecting all the HYSs
So people who live in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors and keep pets indoors as well due to poor air quality and posing a health risk, yet tennis players are expected to play?! Sorry, but I think they should all refuse to play and protest at how stupid it is that the Open was allowed to continue
Clearly the health and safety of their players is not their priority if they are making them play in these conditions. Their priority is obviously profit and not having to refund spectators if they cancel matches.
How about abandoning the whole tournament and all prize money goes to helping out?

Thought not.
Cancel it and give the prize money to aid those suffering.
It looks like all of the village idiots are logged onto the BBC today. None of these tennis players are asking for games to be replayed or for sympathy. The fact is that in a city where everyone is in smoke masks and told to stay inside, organisers made the breathtakingly stupid decision to make high performing athletes play a very physically demanding sport, whilst the indoor courts were empty
Ridiculous they are still holding the open there at this time.
Aussies are a good bunch on the whole but the way they are handling this crisis beggars belief.

Coal - too valuable to leave alone.

Sports - too valuable to postpone

Tourism - too valuable to the economy

They are even culling sharks now so that idiotic swimmers will spend more tourist dollars.
Toxic flame retardant in the water system!

Wake Up Australia!
@274 grow up.
Poor air quality is a real thing and the authorities have said to the public not to go outside unless necessary. It really can affect people's breathing and health.
No one has said the fireman are not doing a great job but that does not mean others are not allowed to state how it is affecting them.
Players, take action. Pull out. Contractual
terms must surely allow for this. I love my tennis but in all honesty, this is ridiculous. If it was a tornado or flood , it would not be happening!
Some of these comments are amazing.

Aussie firefighters have masks, can take breaks when needed, aren't running sprint intervals for a few hours and are never downwind of the fire for long or they get burned.

The public are warned to stay indoors and not walk around in that soot filled air and yet you think that gasping at your physical limit for a couple of hours is no problem. Crazy.