Australia fires: Dalila Jakupovic 'scared I would collapse' because of 'unhealthy' air quality
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
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".
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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.
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."

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.





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For once the show must go on should not apply 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.
If the players have any sense they will organise a walkout
Thought not.
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!
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.
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!
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.