Monfils struggled in the heat (Picture: Getty)

Gael Monfils insists there’s ‘no need’ for the 25-second rule between points when conditions are as hot as they are at the Australian Open and claimed to have suffered a ‘small heat stroke’ during his defeat to Novak Djokovic.

The French ace clearly suffered in the gruelling conditions on the Rod Laver Arena and expressed his surprise and the diligent enforcing of the 25-second time period players are allowed between points.

And he admitted it was a ‘risk’ for them to keep playing in the ‘tough’ conditions.

‘It was really warm,’ he said after the match. ‘It was tough to breathe. Yeah, I think it was the hardest I have.




To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

‘For sure, you know, we took risk. At one stage I said to the chair umpire that the 25-second rule, there’s no need. At the end, honestly, I was like, Okay, I don’t want rally so much, I want to, but I know after one or two rallies I be done.

‘No matter how much you train in the heat, how much you like the heat, is very tough. It was a tough decision I think for the official. I mean, it’s both, you know. We have the same condition.

‘I think it was a bit tougher for him [the umpire] today. Even Novak get time violation, but I think it was not so – you know, those condition, they should allow us a little bit more time.’

Djokovic felt the heat (Picture: REUTERS)

Despite the high temperatures, Monfils did not think the roof should have been closed and insists that the ‘fittest’ wins.

‘That’s a good question. No, is a good question because I’m not so much against the heat because I really like the heat,’ he added. ‘But I don’t know what was the temperature. At one stage I think was really hot.

‘When you’re fighting, I have no idea, no clue about the temperature. Then the fittest win. I’m fair with that.

‘At one stage I’m, like, I’m not bad normally. Then it drop. What was the temperature? It was looking very hot.

Monfils struggled (Picture: EPA)

‘At that time the officials have to make a move. Maybe wait a little bit, whatever, five minutes between the set. Maybe they have to do small adjustment. Maybe not the roof because, as I said, the fittest win, and I think is fair enough.

‘It was some harm, you know. I get super dizzy. I think I have a small heat stroke for 40 minutes. Couldn’t feel like fresh. I try to cool down. But even with the ice towel, the water, I think my body was super warm.

‘Could not, you know, be very fresh after any points, so it was tougher.’