The bushfires ravaging Australia are having an impact on the first tennis grand slam of 2020. Poor air quality has disrupted qualifying for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
A tennis player was forced to retire from Australian Open qualifying in Melbourne after collapsing with a coughing fit caused by bushfire smoke.
Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic was leading 6-4 5-6 against Switzerland's Stefanie Vogele, but was unable to finish her service game at the end of the second set."It was very hard for me to breathe for the whole match. After 20 minutes I already had difficulties," Jakupovic exclusively told CNN's Amanda Davies. "I wasn't able to make more than three shots running left and right because I was already getting an asthma attack. I don't have asthma normally.
— Eurosport UK January 14, 2020 Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and featuresRead More'Panic attack'Jakupovic said that she was given a breathing apparatus by a physio in the first set, but began to feel worse at the end of the second."I just couldn't breathe," she said."I couldn't walk so I just went down because I couldn't stand up straight."After that I had a panic attack because I couldn't get air. It was very hard, I have to say.
— Elina Svitolina January 14, 2020 "It's not the way you want to compete like this to have problems ... It's not the ideal situation."The world No. 82, who was potentially a tie break away from winning her match against Vogele when she withdrew, said the conditions weren't like anything she had experienced before."We were talking about it but said that they checked and that the air was fine," she said.
See the Australian fires from the sky 03:05Three of the Australian Open's show courts at Melbourne Park -- Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena -- have retractable roofs that are closed in the case of rain or extreme heat, and the site also hosts the National Tennis Center, which has eight further indoor courts.Relief effortsPlayers and organizations across the sport have committed to supporting bushfire relief efforts.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tennis Player Dalila Jakupovic Forced to Retire from Australian Open QualifierAustralian Open practice was temporarily suspended due to poor air quality caused by the bushfires raging across the country
Read more »
Tennis Player Dalila Jakupovic Forced to Retire from Australian Open QualifierAustralian Open practice was temporarily suspended due to poor air quality caused by the bushfires raging across the country
Read more »
'I couldn't breathe': Players fear for health as Australian Open qualifying hit by bushfire smoke'I was scared that I would collapse,' Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic said. 'That's why I went on the floor (of the court) because I couldn't walk any more. When I was on the ground it was easier to get some air.'
Read more »
Player quits Australian Open after coughing fit in smoke-clogged airTennis player abandons Australian Open qualifying match Tuesday after dropping to her knees in coughing fit as smoke from the wildfires clogged the air.
Read more »
Serena Williams Donates $43,000 Tennis Winnings to Australian Bushfire ReliefSerena Williams took out the title at the ATP Auckland Open on Sunday, announcing that she is donating all winnings from the tournament to Australian Bushfire
Read more »
Coughing fit sees player quit Australian Open qualifyingQualifying matches at the Australian Open were delayed as smoke from bushfires blanketed the city of Melbourne AusOpen
Read more »