Suk sues over scalding

Cyril Suk (left) with doubles partner Martin Damm

Czech doubles specialist Cyril Suk is suing Tennis Australia for £850,000 after claiming he was scalded by an urn of hot water at the Australian Open last year.

Suk is seeking £500,000 for loss of income, £350,000 in punitive damages, and damages for pain and suffering, a figure which would be set by the court, said his Australian solicitor, John Clements.

Tennis Australia declined to comment.

"We are not at liberty to comment at all because it's currently subject to legal court proceedings," Tennis Australia spokeswoman Lysette Shaw said.

Suk - brother of former women top 10 player Helena Sukova - is suing on the grounds that Tennis Australia had breached laws relating to occupier's liability, said Clements.

He said his firm had not heard from Tennis Australia yet about the writ filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria, but that he expected the case to take six to nine months to resolve.