O assunto é o calor, desde antes do Australian Open começar. Com temperaturas passando dos 40oC os jogadores estão sofrendo e reclamando do torneio por não paralisar partidas ou tomar alguma atitude a respeito.
Claro que não é agradável jogar num calor de mais de 40oC, mas nenhum médico ou organizador de evento seria irresponsável a ponto de prejudicar de fato a saúde de um tenista. Há alguns anos o Grand Slam australiano instituiu uma política de calor – Heat Policy que diz exatamente isto que reproduzo abaixo.
Os técnicos dos jogadores tops não estão reclamando das condições do tempo. Andre Agassi mandou mensagem para o ex-treinador Brad Gilbert falando que a melhor coisa é aceitar a situação e usar para sua vantagem. Não é novidade alguma que faz calor em Melbourne.
Lembro de anos, uns quase 20 anos atrás, quando eu ainda não estava tão inserida no meio do tênis, era apenas uma admiradora do esporte, de uma foto do Boris Becker em um jornal, todo vermelho e a legenda dizendo – “poderia fritar um ovo na quadra.” Naquela época não havia heat policy.
Para quem quiser se aprofundar um pouco em como funciona, aqui está o official heat policy do Aus Open.
In the event of extreme heat, the Referee has the right to order a rest period and/or suspend play at any time as per the following policy:
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The Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy will be applied at the Referee’s discretion and may be altered at any time.
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At the Referee’s discretion, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature only (WBGT) is above the pre
-determined threshold, the Tournament Referee may suspend the commencement of any further
matches on outside courts.
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Any matches currently in progress will continue until the end of the current set. At the completion of
the set, play will be suspended.
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Where play in any match commences outdoors (or with a roof open) and the WBGT temperature
exceeds the pre-determined threshold, the match will continue until the completion of the set. At the end of the set a decision may be made by the Referee to close the roof for the remainder of the match and the following matches, when the EHP is still in effect (on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena).
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A roof will only be closed because of extreme heat if a decision has been made by the Referee to suspend the completion or commencement of matches on the outdoor courts.
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When the EHP has been implemented, the Tournament Referee will suspend the calling of any further matches on outside courts.
Supplement:
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In the Women’s Singles, to allow a 10 minute break between the 2nd and 3rd sets when a WBGT 30.1 reading has been recorded prior to the calling of the match by Tournament Control. Readings are continually made throughout the day.
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ForJunior Singles, to allow a 10 minute break and Wheelchair Singles to allow a 15 minute break between the 2ndand 3rdsets, this will be applied at the Referee’s discretion at a predetermined threshold, prior tothe calling of the match by Tournament Control. Readings are continually made throughout the day.
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The break will not apply between the second and third sets if play had previously been suspended after
the first setdue to EHP.
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During the suspension of play, the Referee will review the conditions and make a decision as to whetherthe EHP is still in force. A player will be given at least 30 minutes notice prior to the resumption of play.Announcements will be made via the public address system
Diana Gabanyi