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Baked in Beantown

On-court temps eclipse 125 during Davis Cup matches

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Posted: Friday July 16, 1999 10:11 PM

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, (right) and former President George Bush tried to beat the heat during the Davis Cup. AP

BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) - Marjorie Marshall came all the way from England for the Davis Cup but spent most of a steamy Friday unable to see the matches from the shady spot she'd chosen under the stands.

"I was in my seat but not for long," the 67-year-old tennis fan said as the crowd cheered a point. "I'd rather hear what's going on than risk getting ill."

Jeanna Emert, a trumpet player from Nashville, Tenn., delivered bottles of water to other members of the Harvard band that played occasionally while spending the day in the stands with the sun bearing down on them. It could have been worse.

"Our usual uniform is black pants, black shoes, white shirt, black tie and a wool jacket," she said. "So this is a little bit better."

At one point, the temperature on the Longwood Cricket Club court was reported at 126 degrees. That took a toll on the players.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, just 18 years old, handled it better than 29-year-old Todd Martin of the United States and won the first match of the best-of-five quarterfinals 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3, 6-0.

"I thought Todd was starting to get a little bit tired" in the third set, Hewitt said. "That was the most positive thing I could take out of it; that whatever I am feeling, I am sure he is feeling a lot worse than I am."

Martin played singles because Pete Sampras, a late addition to the team, didn't want to bump him.

"It was pretty hot," Martin said. "The first set I felt lousy. I was definitely a little shocked by the weather."

The temperature cooled a bit for the second match. The result though, was similar as Australia won again with Patrick Rafter beating Jim Courier 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4. A win in Saturday's doubles match would clinch a semifinal spot for Australia even before Sunday's two singles matches.

While Sampras watched part of the first match from courtside with a wet towel over his head, Rafter chose to watch from the locker room.

"I didn't want to come out and watch," Rafter said. "It was too damn hot out there."

Some spectators waved small yellow fans to stir up a breeze. But at least 20 people were treated by medical personnel, mostly for heat-related problems.

Firefighter Joe Hingston of the Brookline Fire Department, working in a medical tent, put a positive spin on it.

"We're actually thankful we haven't had any heart attacks or strokes because there are a lot of older people here," Hingston said. "We're actually glad that the refreshment stands are spread out as they are because the availability of fluids is greater and the problems are less."

In one of those stands, Bob MacDonald was doing a brisk business selling iced tea, soft drinks, beer and water. He had little time to comment as he passed out beverages and took in money.

"I'll have to make it quick. I'm pretty busy," he said. "Water is a big seller."

Marshall, the fan from Lanbourn, England, enjoyed the atmosphere of the event but was looking forward to returning to the Rhode Island home where she was staying with family members.

"I can't wait to get back and swim in the pool," she said.

 

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