Heat takes toll on players in Australian Open.

Australian Open traditionally has been one of the most challenging tournaments in the ATP tour. But conditions this year has gone from bad to worse, as players were forced to play under temperatures soring around 45 degree celsius. Naturally, this has led to many withdrawals, both heat related and not, and has been the "hot" topic among the tennis players now.

For example, Court No 6 has been the epic-centre of victims, where the first two matches ended in injury retirements and Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic collapsed during the third.

Dancevic got up and finished, losing 7-6 (12), 6-3, 6-4 to No. 27 Benoit Paire, and later said the conditions were “inhumane” and “definitely hazardous.”

The hot wind that blew all day across Melbourne Park offered no reprieve at the peak of the heat. Nor did Australian Open organizers, opting against suspending matches because they said the humidity level was relatively low.

Andy Murray said “It looks terrible for the whole sport when people are collapsing, ball kids are collapsing, people in the stands are collapsing,”

Ice packs have been relentlessly arranged for players to utilize it during the game breaks. Some respite for the already toiled tennis players, who are facing the burden of heat over the extreme schedule of the tour.

With the Australian heat quite predictable every year, the tour organisers can help the players out by helping the players adapt to the conditions, and also reduce unnecessary work-load on players by cutting off exhibition matches and tournaments.

The Australian open has just started, and things are about to get "heated" up a bit more.