Poor air could hit players hard in long matches at Australian Open - Evert

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 6, 2019. Chris Evert greets fans after Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. quarterfinal match against Romania's Simona Halep. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

(Reuters) - Tennis great Chris Evert said player health is a serious concern heading into this year's Australian Open where poor air quality could hit competitors hard in longer matches amid the devastating bushfires that have engulfed the country.

With the year's first tennis major starting on Monday in Melbourne, Evert -- along with John McEnroe -- told reporters that air quality should be paramount in tournament organisers' minds.