Former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic has issued a stark warning about player safety at the Hangzhou Open, where scorching temperatures are forecast to hit 37 degrees Celsius on opening day.
The Croatian veteran took to social media to demand urgent action from tennis authorities.
"All matches should be played under the roof in the stadium with AC - this is dangerous and crazy," the 36-year-old posted on his Instagram story.
The 2014 US Open champion questioned whether heat protocols would be implemented, crossing his fingers for player wellbeing over the tournament's initial days.
Former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic has issued a stark warning about player safety at the Hangzhou Open, where scorching temperatures are forecast to hit 37 degrees Celsius on opening day
|REUTERS
The Croatian is set to begin his title defence at the ATP 250 event, which runs for seven days starting Wednesday. As the tournament's current holder, he aims for consecutive victories at the week-long competition.
His public criticism represents mounting frustration with the ATP Tour's handling of extreme weather conditions.
While it is predicted that temperatures will decrease to approximately 29 degrees on Thursday, this remains sufficiently hot enough to pose health risks for competitors.
Marin Cilic is set to begin his title defence at the ATP 250 event, which runs for seven days starting Wednesday
|REUTERS
The former Wimbledon finalist joins other players voicing concerns about tour management, highlighting growing tensions between athletes and organisers over welfare issues.
Alexander Zverev recently criticised the expanded Masters 1000 structure, stating he hasn't encountered a single player who supports the revised system.
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The German highlighted how seven of nine Masters tournaments now span two weeks, creating insufficient recovery and training periods.
He praised the shorter formats of Monte Carlo and Paris-Bercy as superior models.
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| Reuters"You kind of get there, you play your five matches, and you get out of there," Zverev explained, lamenting the loss of the traditional Masters format that players previously enjoyed.
Cilic's concerns come as he continues his comeback following extensive knee rehabilitation that required two surgeries and sidelined him for nearly two years.
The Croatian demonstrated his enduring quality at this year's Wimbledon, defeating British No1 Jack Draper 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 in the second round.
The veteran's performance at the All England Club marked his first appearance there in four years. He produced 53 winners against Draper, who described the defeat as among the most painful of his career.
Flavio Cobolli, one of tennis' most exciting prospects, defeated Cilic however in the next round to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
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