Fear of player safety rises at Cincinnati Open as Felix Auger-Aliassime's opponent Arthur Rinderknech nearly passes out from stifling heat

In a shocking instance at the Cincinnati Open, French tennis star Arthur Rinderknech collapsed while playing Felix Auger-Aliassime in his third round match. This incident forced him to retire during the second set of the match and raised concerns for player safety in the sweltering Midwest heat.

The heat at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio rose to 88°F on Monday, August 11, making the conditions very difficult to play in for those competing. As a result, players struggled to cope with the conditions. This was also noticable earlier in the day, Daniil Medvedev turned to unusual methods to help himself cool down.

Rinderknech dropped the first set against Auger-Aliassime and was tied 2-2 in the second, when he grabbed a towel and went to take his seat. While doing so, he fell on his back in the middle of the court as medics rushed to help him.

Shortly after, he was able to return to the match but that did not last long. Just two games later, Rinderknech was forced to retire from the match amid the intense heat at the Cincinnati Open.

Felix Auger-Aliassime led the match 7-6(4), 4-2 and the victory allowed him to advance to the Round of 16 of the tournament.

Alexander Zverev highlighted difference in Cincinnati Open playing conditions with US Open

Alexander Zverev addressed how he is confused with the difference of the conditions in Ohio (Cincinnati Open) and the US Open. The World No.3's concern stems from the fact that many players assess their performance in the tournament to prepare for the final Grand Slam of the season. However, he indicated that the difference doesn't allow a justifiable assessment.

During a pre-tournament press conference, Zverev admitted to not understanding how the surface has become slow in comparison to how it used to be in the past. He also expressed his displeasure at the surface but kept his hopes up for a positive run.

"Cincinnati was a very fast tournament in the past, but it's become extremely slow now. I'm not sure what the reason behind this is the choice, especially since in New York the courts will be very fast again. I'm not a huge fan of this surface. I just hope to play good tennis and get as far as possible," he stated.

Zverev, who is third seed at the Cincinnati Open, ousted Nishesh Basavareddy in the second round and will face Brandon Nakashima in his next match.

About the author

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

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Edited by Tushar Bahl