NEW YORK, Aug 29 (v7n)- At the US Open on Wednesday, approximately 55 million people across the region faced heat alerts as temperatures soared to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) at Flushing Meadows. Players and fans alike struggled to cope with the sweltering conditions.

American tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who faced Alexander Shevchenko in the second round, expressed his discomfort: "I'm sweating crazy. What was it, 95 degrees outside? Today was crazy." He famously discarded five shirts due to the heat during the match.

Several players required medical attention due to the extreme heat. Andrey Rublev experienced significant discomfort after a grueling five-set match, stating he felt as though he had "a baby" in his stomach from excessive water intake. Victoria Azarenka and Iva Jovic also called for doctors' assistance during their matches, highlighting the challenging conditions.

Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk took proactive measures to stay cool, using ice towels and packs during changeovers and even providing ice towels to her coaching staff. Despite winning in straight sets, Alexander Zverev noted the impact of the heat, sharing that he was "very, very wet" after his match but felt physically fine.

To mitigate the heat, officials partially closed the roofs of the Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums for shade. The extreme heat rule was invoked, allowing players a 10-minute break during matches. However, this relief was insufficient for Tomas Etcheverry, who vomited during his five-set match against Francisco Cerundolo, attributing it to the extreme conditions.

Azarenka, who played in the evening session, also faced health issues, having her blood pressure checked during her match. Despite her struggles, she managed to complete the match, albeit wearing sunglasses during her post-match interview due to chronic migraines.

As the evening progressed, lightning became a new safety concern, leading to the suspension of the match between Casper Ruud and Gael Monfils on the uncovered Grandstand arena. The extreme weather conditions have posed significant challenges for players, emphasizing the dangers of competing in such heat.