The weather is completely sweltering in Melbourne today. Unfortunately, professional tennis players who rolled into town for the Australian Open are definitely feeling the heat in more ways than one. 

In the city, the mercury hit 39.0 degrees with forecasts predicting a sweltering 42 degrees on Friday. In even hotter situations, the court-side thermometers on Rod Laver Arena hit a completely insane 69 degrees at 3:30pm this afternoon. 

It. Is. 69. Degrees. Celsius. On. Rod. Laver. Arena.

😟#AusOpen #7Tennis

— #7TENNIS 🎾 (@7tennis) January 18, 2018

Obscene heat at the Aus Open, Djokovic and Monfils looked cooked - literally. 69 degrees is the surface temperature on Rod Laver Arena https://t.co/xA8wAtJWfA pic.twitter.com/nd25vxGyZn

— Emily Benammar (@EmilyBenammar) January 18, 2018

Yet despite the insane temperatures that are probably making you sweat even just thinking about them, the players had to power on through while almost keeling over. 

French player Gael Monfils seemed to be struggling in particular in his set against Novak Djokovic. Although both players utilised the ice towels to try and cool down, Monfils continued to struggle with the heat. 

Court microphones caught Monfils telling officials that the heat was making him feel dizzy and that he might collapse. Footage also captured him requesting things such as “being allowed more than 25 seconds between service games,” and “being allowed to leave the court for a brief reprieve between sets.”

"Maybe I collapse..."

🇫🇷 @Gael_Monfils wants to take longer than the allowed 25 seconds between points... he is struggling big-time v 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole.#7Tennis #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/dv2krxwc9c

— #7TENNIS 🎾 (@7tennis) January 18, 2018

This. Is. Bizarre.

🇫🇷 @Gael_Monfils wants to leave the court after this set, but tournament officials don't seem to be letting him!#7Tennis #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xALeevwWgS

— #7TENNIS 🎾 (@7tennis) January 18, 2018

The current Extreme Heat policy in place at the Australian Open doesn’t come into effect until the ambient air texture goes above 40.0 degrees. Once it comes into effect, play on the outside courts is halted and the roof at Hisense Arena, Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena are ordered to close. 

Some people argue that the roof should be closed before the temperatures hit 40.0 degrees while others argue that the intense heat that occurs at this time of year is an intrinsic part of what makes it such a challenging tournament for the players. 

Either way, it’s definitely a hot one!