Spectators rather than players are at most risk from the extreme heat.

Australian Open organisers have been criticised for forcing players to compete in intense heat as temperatures hit 42C (107.6F) in Melbourne….

Greg Whyte, a former Olympian and professor of applied sport and exercise science, believes spectators rather than players are at most risk from the extreme heat.

“The crowd invariably are at greatest risk, specifically because they are not acclimatised to the heat,” he said.

“What you have to remember is that athletes, particularly tennis players, play all over the world.

“They are very well acclimatised and incredibly well looked after. They hydrate themselves well on court and there are expert teams around them who are deciding if it is potentially dangerous.

“If we were taking unacclimatised individuals and putting them in these extreme environment then I would be more concerned.”

Read the full report and analysis on BBC Sport