Tennis star Novak Djokovic shared a unique - and personal - experience with his opponent, as he advanced to the second round of the US Open in New York.
Battling oppressive humidity, Djokovic and Hungarian Marton Fucsovic were forced from the court for a 10-minute break after the third set under the tournament's 'extreme heat' policy.
The pair disappeared under the stands and sat naked in adjoining ice baths to recover.
"It was quite a wonderful feeling, battling with a guy for two-and-a-half hours and then… you haven't finished the match, but you're naked in the ice baths.
"It was quite a magnificent feeling, I must say."
Sufficiently stimulated, Djokovic emerged to take the fourth set 6-0 and progress to the next stage.
With temperatures reaching the high 30s Celsius, this was the first time heat breaks were allowed at a Grand Slam tournament, as seven players in the men's draw withdrew through heat exhaustion.
"We both needed it, but the rule was we weren't allowed to speak to any of our team members in the locker room," said Djokovic.
"My physio was a couple of feet away from me, and we were kind of winking at each other and giving signs about what I am supposed to do and not do."
Sixth-seeded Djokovic, who has won this tournament twice, will next face American Tennys Sandgren on Friday (NZ time).
Newshub.
