Pull out if it's too hot to handle, advises Hewitt

Melbourne, Jan 19 (UNI) In a blunt response to complaints of extreme heat at the Australian Open by David Nalbandian and Maria Sharapova, local favourites Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis have asked their fellow competitors to just pull out of the event if the tempratures at the Melbourne Park seem too hot to handle.

''If you're not up to it, then pull out,'' Hewitt was quoted by the 'Herald Sun' as saying.

''I still feel that's what you do all the hard work for, to play in situations like that, put your body through gruelling situations.

This is a sport where you have to do a lot of hard work and preparation to get your body ready,'' he added as he hit back at the criticism of the Grand Slam's timing by Sharapova, Nalbandian and some other players.

Hewitt said participants are well aware of the conditions here and if they choose to come, they should be able to adapt to the tempeatures and complain about it.

''It's a one-on-one sport. You come to the tournament knowing there's going to be some hot days. If you draw those days, you got to be able to put up with it,'' he explained.

Philippoussis, meanwhile, called for the scrapping of the heat policy, which allows for rescheduling of matches, closing of roofs at the Melbourne Park in case temperatures become unbearable.

''I think there shouldn't be one (a heat rule),'' he told a local television network.

Several players in the past have called for the rescheduling of the Ausralian Open in March-April when temperatures cool down significantly but the organisers have rejected such suggestions.

In the ongoing event, players have described the heat as unbearable, with Nalbandian saying he found the conditions ''very disgusting'' to handle.

Women's top seed Sharapova, who had a tough opening round match, said she felt delusional during the match and has lambasted the organisers for not shifting the dates of the event.

However, former champion Andre Aggasi disagreed with the complaining players and joined Hewitt and Philippoussis in saying that competitors should just back off if they feel the conditions are too tough for them.

''As far as the guys go, it is really simple. It is about handling the elements the best, it is not about playing great. We train for this. (If you are not prepared), too bad,'' Agassi told ESPN.

''It is about being fit and being prepared, and tennis brings both of those things together, and that needs to be respected and appreciated,'' he added.

Agassi felt the organisers should be more concerned about the spectators, who sit through the match. The former champion said its the paying public which is affected by the soaring temperatures, not the players.

''The part that needs to be addressed on some levels is not the players, it is the fans. People drinking that good Australian beer, sitting in the sun, getting dehydrated. I (saw) a lot of health issues in the crowd,'' he said.

Reigning champion, Roger Federer, meanwhile, said though he had no problem with the schedule, the organisers should consult the players when using the heat policy.

''Maybe the players should have some say if it is too hot. Maybe come back later, like a rain delay, if the court gets too hot,'' he said.

UNI