Jannik Sinner will admit himself that he got bailed out earlier today, saved by the Australian Open’s heat rule as he was staring down an early exit.
Facing Eliot Spizzirri, it was expected that the former world number one would breeze past the American with minimal fuss.
However, those who predicted a comfortable win clearly did not take the conditions into their thinking, as the sweltering heat affected Jannik Sinner massively.
Suffering from full-body cramps, he found himself a break down in the third set, with the scores at one set all.
It was then that the tennis gods answered his prayers, as the heat rule enforced a break, disrupted momentum, and allowed Sinner to wriggle his way back into the match to secure his spot in the fourth round.
Anne Keothovang voices major complaint about the Australian Open
Whilst many have commended the heat rule for protecting the players, Anne Keothovang has explained why she has an issue with the enforcement of it.
After all, her gripe was not from the fact that it saved Sinner, but instead that it was not afforded to all those playing.
Who has impressed you most so far at the Australian Open?
She told TNT Sports: “Fortunately for him [Sinner], he was on Rod Laver Arena. For everyone else on the outside courts play was suspended.
“I saw a young British girl in the juniors, Holly Smart, cramp up in her match.
“It’s not nice to see a 16-year-old have to retire due to cramping.
“But for those playing on the outside courts, I do feel like we need to have a serious word with the tournament.
“There were no fans, nothing. What the players on the big show courts have, they can sit there and they have the fans and the means available to try and cool down, but that’s not available for those on the outside courts.”
Spizzirri has since given his thoughts on the decision to close the roof vs Sinner.
Jannik Sinner got really lucky in Australian Open match
Sinner admitted that he got ‘lucky’ today in his post-match press conference. That is an irrefutable fact.
He was down in the match and seemingly had nothing left to give, as he limped around the court with a worried expression plastered across his face.
Were it not for the heat rule, he was facing certain defeat, and it completely disrupted the momentum of the match as Spizzirri was taking full advantage of his hampered opponent.
Who would win this legendary showdown?
It will be interesting to see how he tackles the conditions over the next week, should he find himself in a similar position.
After all, were it not for this brand-new piece of legislation, his Australian Open title defence would have surely been cut short today.
