Australian Open star forced to halt live TV interview as he’s left in agony

Luciano Darderi was struck down by cramp in the middle of a live TV interview.

The Italian had booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open after downing number 15 seed Karen Khachanov 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

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Temperatures in Melbourne are climbing close to 40C on some days and players are feeling the effect.

Thankfully for Darderi, the cramp did not set in during his match and only came on during his interview.

He was forced to stop the interview mid-sentence as he grabbed his legs in agony.

The 23-year-old’s face painted a thousand words too, grimacing at the quick onset.

Interview host Chris Stubbs asked: “Are you okay?”

He continued: “This is the conditions today that we’re facing. 

“We might get back to the match just for a moment here … We’ll give Luciano just a moment to regain his composure.”

When asked about what happened, Darderi said if felt ‘like a dog bit my hamstring’.

Australian Open heat

Darderi will face fellow Italian Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the Australian Open, who was also struggling with the rising temperatures.

The two-time champion was in big trouble early in the third set on Rod Laver Arena as his legs seized up.

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But, at the same moment, the tournament’s heat stress scale hit five, triggering the closing of the roof.

Sinner continued to look uncomfortable but, out of the punishing sun and with air conditioning cooling the arena, he battled to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory.

“I struggled physically a bit today,” said the relieved second seed. “I got lucky with the heat rule and the roof closing. I took my time and as the time passed I felt better and better.

“I’m very happy about this performance. Looking back at every big tournament there were some tough matches. Hopefully this can give me some positives for the next round.”

What are the Australian Open heat rules

The tournament adopted the heat stress scale in 2019, which aims to ensure conditions are safe for players to compete in.

It takes into account air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed, with various measures implemented if the scale passes certain thresholds, including cooling breaks between sets if it hits a mark of four and suspension of play at five.

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Should the scale reach five, matches on outside courts would cease until conditions improve, while, on the three show courts with roofs, play would continue indoors.