Extreme heat suspends play at Australian Open in Melbourne
Extreme heat suspends play at Australian Open in Melbourne
Extreme heat pushes players and fans to the limit as outside courts are suspended and roofs close, reshaping day seven at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Melbourne Park turned day seven of the Australian Open into a test of endurance as extreme heat loomed. Officials planned an earlier start to take advantage of milder morning air, but the forecast still pointed to near-40C heat in the afternoon.
Outside courts faced suspensions under the tournament’s Heat Stress Scale, a five-point system used to gauge conditions by air temperature, radiant heat, wind and humidity. The scale had already climbed to the higher end of the spectrum by midday, triggering suspensions and prompting roof closures on courts equipped with them.
On Rod Laver Arena, the third-round clash between Jannik Sinner and Eliot Spizzirri was halted for about 10 minutes so the roof could be closed and the air cooled, allowing play to resume under safer conditions.
Earlier in the day, an American player navigated the heat to defeat Karolina Pliskova in about 75 minutes, 6-3, 6-3. Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula, who lives in Florida, closed out her match at Margaret Court Arena with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva and offered a candid take on the heat, saying, I didn’t have to kind of kill myself today.
To minimize exposure, organizers also adjusted morning sessions: the day’s action began at 10:30 a.m. on the main arenas, instead of the usual later start. While the heat raises challenges for players and fans alike, the tournament continues with safety protocols in place, roofs ready to close and matches pushed earlier when possible.
