Slovenian Dalian Jakupovic was helped off the court in her qualification match at the Australian Open earlier this week due to shortage of breath.
The air quality in Melbourne has been “very poor”, a consequence of the bushfires that has now spread over 100,000 sq km, killed about 28 people and caused severe air pollution.
The player said everyone she spoke to complained of “headaches and chest pains”.
“It was very dangerous to play in those conditions yesterday,” said Jakupovic.
Canadian Eugene Bouchard had to take a treatment break same as Australia’s Bernard Tomic who received treatment on court and Maria Sharapova’s exhibition match had to be cancelled.
“I think all of the players yesterday suffered more than the ones playing today because not all matches are going to be finished today,” Jakupovic told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“Yesterday, whoever we talk to, all the players had headaches, were feeling chest pains, had problems breathing. It was horrible.”
Jakupovic said she has no history of Asthma or any other kind of breathing issues in the past.
“I actually prefer the heat when I play in these conditions, so this was something very different,” she added.
“I’ve never experienced something like this.”
Briton Harriet Dart described playing as “a little different”.
“I didn’t go outside too much until my match. I think I was quite lucky to be playing later, as the conditions definitely improved as the day went on,” she said.
American Nicole Gibbs voiced her concerns on Twitter.
Sorry – did I play in a higher intensity version of this yesterday without being medically informed? https://t.co/3ubY5R9uKf pic.twitter.com/oXCkbolNFe
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) January 15, 2020