The hot and humid conditions have been the talk of the town in Shanghai this week, unfortunately not for good reason. There have already been seven retirements so far, with defending champion Jannik Sinner throwing in the towel in the third round as he suffered severe cramps and could barely walk.
Those left in the tournament are well aware that things won’t get any easier, and it’s quickly becoming a survival of the fittest. But Zizou Bergs has made the most of the draw opening up, and the world No. 44 is through to his maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final.
The Belgian tennis ace is learning to deal with the heat in Shanghai, and enjoyed some respite when he beat No. 30 seed Gabriel Diallo on Tuesday, with temperatures finally coming down.
But Bergs has voiced concern for the ball kids, who are not allowed to take a break in the changeovers like players do.
The 26-year-old saved two match points in a nailbiting tiebreak to beat Diallo 3-6 7-5 7-6(8) and said of the conditions: “I mean, it’s definitely better. Two days ago it was just absolutely brutal. But the other days are not easy either.
“I feel like you get used to it a little bit. It’s still tough today outside, you still sweat a lot. I’m right here standing in a swimming pool.
“But, no, I was also explaining, I think as tennis players, it’s obviously not easy, but look at the ball boys and ball girls. They’re doing an amazing job. I really feel sorry for them.
“We get an opportunity to drink during changeovers and they don’t. I feel really bad for them, but I’m also really happy that nothing is happening to them.”
For now, as Bergs said, there have been no incidents with ball kids struggling in the heat.
Although they don’t get breaks in the changeover, groups of ball boys and girls will alternate, usually doing shifts of one-hour on and one-hour off, so they don’t spend extensive periods of time on the court.
