VIDEO: "I can die" lashes out Medvedev to umpire during his match vs Fognini

It was a brutal day to play tennis in Tokyo as the temperature was well above 30 degrees celsius along with suffocating humidity of around 70 %. Players struggled with the heat as both Medvedev and Fognini complained about it several times to the umpire. At one point in the 2nd set Medvedev said:

“I can finish the match but I can die. If I die, are you going to be responsible?”

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After the match, Medvedev reiterated his stance by saying he felt darkness in his eyes. He said:

“I didn’t know what to do to feel better. I was ready to just fall down on the court.”

Medvedev was not the only one who struggled with the extreme conditions as an hour later Paula Badosa was forced to retire from her match due to heatstroke. The situation became so serious that Badosa needed to be carted off in a wheelchair upon retirement.

Alexander Zverev was another player who struggled with heat as was evidenced by him just sitting on his bench with ice on him after his match vs Basilashvili. Numerous players have criticised the Olympics for the schedule but for now, no action was taken.

Timothy Burke

@bubbaprog

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a very metal moment in the Olympic tennis just now as Medvedev casually asks what happens if he dies on the court

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We Are Tennis

@WeAreTennis

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Medvedev during is victory vs Fognini: "I can finish the match, but I can die. If I die, who will take responsibility?" Temperature is really really high to play tennis in Tokyo

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