Can't stand the heat at the Australian Open? Then toughen up.
That's the brutally honest response from British tennis star Kyle Edmund after hearing officials had changed the opening grand slam's heat policy amid player welfare concerns.
Officials have introduced a newly developed "heat stress scale" for the Australian Open starting on January 14 after some of the sport's biggest names called for more protection following a sweltering 2018 tournament.
Australian No.2 Nick Kyrgios was one of the first to congratulate organisers for adopting the new system which measures air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed, admitting Melbourne Park conditions had become "dangerous".
But world No.14 Edmund - who made the 2018 Australian Open semi-finals - reckons players just need to get fitter if they are complaining about the heat.
While the 23-year-old said players' welfare is paramount, Edmund believes competitors should blame themselves not the conditions if they wilt in the Melbourne weather.
"It's good to see the Australian Open is proactive and trying to improve things but it's a sport, it is meant to be tough," Edmund said.
"If you are flaking I say you are not fit enough.
"It's not meant to be cushy on players. That (coping with heat) is just the nature of the sport that you have to accept."
Australian Open officials have scrapped the use of wet bulb globe temperature readings for the opening grand slam and will instead apply more comprehensive measuring of conditions across Melbourne Park.
A 10-minute break between the third and fourth set will also be introduced in men's singles matches when the five-point scale nears its most extreme point.
Edmund doesn't think the break will make a difference.
"Of course there is a health element to our sport. There was one year there it was very hot when it hit 40 degrees," he said.
"But you train to get as fit as possible.
"And to be honest 10 minutes is not a huge difference when you are working hard out there.
"Once you get back out there you will be pretty hot again I reckon."
The previous heat policy was widely criticised during this year's tournament.
Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils complained after struggling through 39C heat in their second-round match, while other players and commentators called for more protection.
The introduction of heat-related breaks for male players brings the tournament into line with the US Open which was repeatedly forced to stop play earlier this year.
