Things are heating up on Day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, not least the weather.
After defeating Bolivian Hugo Dellien 6-2 6-2 in the men’s singles first round, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic described the humidity as “brutal,” while Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev resorted to using a mobile air conditioner to stay cool.
On Saturday, Medvedev defeated Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik 6-4 7-6 at the Ariake Tennis Park, despite “some of the worst (heat) I’ve ever had.”
Temperatures in the greater Tokyo region reached nearly 34°C (93°F) on Saturday, according to CNN’s weather team, with “oppressive” humidity levels above 80 percent.
“Very tough,” Djokovic said of the conditions. “Today, from also speaking to the other players, it was the hottest day so far.
“Because it’s very hot and also very humid, so the hard courts absorb the heat, and it stays trapped in there. Not much wind, not much breeze.
“Maybe other days there was a bit more wind, which helped refresh and cool down, but not much today, so it was challenging definitely, but I’m pleased to overcome the first hurdle.”
Djokovic is aiming to become the first man in history to achieve the “Golden Slam,” winning all four grand slams and Olympic gold in the same year, after winning his 20th grand slam title at Wimbledon.
No. 2 in the world Matches should be scheduled later in the day, according to Medvedev, so that players can compete in cooler temperatures.
“I completely agree with him,” Djokovic said. “I’ve heard for tennis there is some kind of curfew they have to finish at midnight, but if that’s the case, I’ve just finished the last match and it’s not even 5 p.m.
“They have lights on all the courts, they’re going to make life much easier for all of us tennis players, I just don’t understand why they don’t move it.
“It’s actually for the TV broadcasters even better, because the later you play, the better it is for the United States and the time zones in Europe.
“I don’t know, maybe ITF (International Tennis Federation) can give you a better answer to why they chose to be played in the middle of the day. I doubt they will change the decision, but we’re hoping that they will.”
Medvedev was also dissatisfied with the amount of time between changeovers.
“The fact that we only have one minute is a farce. If you ask, let’s say 200 tennis players that are here, I think 195 will tell you that one minute is a joke. It should be 1:30.”
It’s not like all of the tennis players were complaining about the hot weather.
“It’s great to play in these conditions,” Greece’s Maria Sakkari said after beating Estonian Anett Kontaveit 7-5 6-2. “I grew up playing in the heat. Maybe not that humid, but heat is the way we grew up playing in Greece and I actually embrace that.”
The ITF and Tokyo 2020 organizers did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on whether tennis matches would be moved to later in the day.
Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz celebrates his victory in the men’s cycling road race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz celebrates his victory in the men’s cycling road race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
If Djokovic and Medvedev struggled in the heat and humidity on Saturday, think of the men’s Olympic road race cyclists, who were on the road for more than six hours.
Richard Carapaz, the only Ecuadorean to win a gold medal at a Summer Games, described the heat as “exceptionally significant” during the 234-kilometer race won by Canadian cyclist Michael Woods.
“With the heat and everything, it was one of the toughest days I think I’ve had on a bike,” added Australian cyclist Richie Porte.
