Melbourne’s sweltering summer has thrown the Australian Open into chaos. With temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday, organizers hit the pause button on all outdoor courts. Roofs on main show courts were swiftly closed, prioritizing the safety of players and spectators above all else.
The tournament enforces a rigorous Extreme Heat Policy, assessing four critical factors: air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed, and humidity. When these combine to reach condition level 5, play stops immediately. This protocol led to multiple match delays, as the heat index spiked dangerously.
Spectators received urgent advice: stay hydrated, wear hats, and seek relief from misting fans scattered throughout the stadium. The impact was stark in defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner’s match on Rod Laver Arena. Cramping and struggling with movement, Sinner benefited from an eight-minute cooling break after the roof closed, allowing play to resume under cover.
At Margaret Court Arena, Valentin Vacherot and Ben Shelton’s clash kicked off only after the roof sealed shut. Tournament referee announced no outdoor matches until 5:30 PM local time. To combat the forecast heatwave, some fixtures were rescheduled earlier in the day.
In women’s action, defending champion Madison Keys powered through tough conditions to defeat Karolina Pliskova. Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova also triumphed, crediting their heat acclimatized training regimens for the edge in blistering conditions. As the tournament battles the elements, adaptability remains key to survival Down Under.