Power of Caring
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Courier attacks Wimbledon

American upset with medical facilities at All England Club

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Posted: Saturday June 26, 1999 02:33 PM

Courier had to go to an area hospital for dehydration treatment following a five-set match. AP

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Jim Courier criticized Wimbledon Saturday, saying the biggest tennis tournament "in the world has sub-par medical conditions for the players."

Courier was angered when Wimbledon officials elected to take him to a nearby hospital for intravenous fluids to treat dehydration after a 4 1/2-hour, five-set victory over Sjeng Schalken in the third round.

He said he was told there were no facilities on site to administer an IV, although a spokesman for Wimbledon disputed his claim.

"It's the only tournament, the only country we play in where this is the case, from what our trainers tell us," Courier said. "I'd heard about this before from other players. They've run into the same brick wall of conservatism.

"It's too bad that a tournament that's the biggest in the world has sub-par medical conditions for the players."

The 28-year-old Courier knew immediately after the match that he was dehydrated.

"I just realized when I came off the court that I was in trouble," he said. "I know my body well. I know when I'm going to start cramping and I knew what I needed to do. So we ended up going to a hospital to get an IV."

Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins disputed Courier's account and said there were facilities on site for the IV treatment. He said Dr. Peter Tudor Miles, who treated Courier at the club after the match, said the IV treatment wasn't needed.

Courier faces No. 6 Tim Henman in Monday's fourth round as the Briton tries to become the first home player in 63 years to win men's singles title.

Henman will also be out to avenge a dramatic five-set loss to Courier in April in the Davis Cup in Birmingham, England.

"The court in Birmingham was quick, and the court here is very quick as well, and the footing is not as sure here," Henman said.

Courier will face a hostile crowd against Henman, the darling of British tennis.

"I like playing in big crowds," he said. "I've rarely played in situations where the crowds have been for me in those conditions, for whatever reason. So maybe that's why I'm used to it."

 

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