Americans Reckon The Only Reason John Millman Beat Federer Was Because Of Climate Change

Someone call Inspector Gadget because not even he would be able to reach as far as the New York Times did yesterday.

An article in Wednesday's paper declared that the reason that Aussie John Millman knocked Roger Federer out of the US Open in one of the greatest sporting upsets in history had less to do with Millman's sporting prowess and far more to do with climate change.

Yes, really. 

Federer, who is ranked No. 2, seemed to struggle all night in the heat and humidity at Arthur Ashe Stadium, losing in a fourth-round upset to John Millman an Australian ranked 55th. 'It was hot,' Federer said. It 'was just one of those nights where I guess I felt I couldn't get air; there was no circulation at all...' To some, the comments by Federer, 37, may sound like sour grapes. But they also underscore a growing problem: increasing nighttime temperatures. Under climate change, overall temperatures are rising - 2018 is on track to be the fourth-warmest year on record - but the warming is not happening evenly.

- New York Times

Speaking after his fourth-round loss on Monday night, Federer also said that Millman may have had the advantage as "he maybe comes from one of the most humid places on earth" - Brisbane.

Federer's claims come six months after he was forced to admit that he had requested to play at nighttime at the Australian Open in an attempt to dodge the January heat.

"We know it can be very hot here in Australia," he said at the time. "It's definitely a challenge. It's hard to prepare for that in some ways.

"But you know when you come down here that can happen. 

"Sure I'm happy I played at nighttime. But like I said on court, I would back myself playing during the daytime also."