Australian Open Halts Outdoor Matches Amid Scorching Melbourne Heat
Play was suspended during the Australian Open due to extreme heat conditions in Melbourne. The tournament’s Heat Stress Scale (HSS) reached a critical level, prompting the closure of roofs on the main stadiums and halting outdoor matches.
Heat Stress Scale Activation
The HSS is a measure that considers four climate factors: air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed. When the scale hit 5.0, matches were paused to protect players from dangerous heat. This situation greatly impacted World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who was struggling with cramps during his match against Eliot Spizzirri.
Match Suspensions and Resumptions
- Jannik Sinner vs. Eliot Spizzirri: Play was suspended at 3-1 in the third set.
- Lorenzo Musetti vs. Tomas Macháč: Match paused with Musetti leading 2-0 in the fifth set.
- Linda Nosková’s match on Kia Arena was also paused as it lacks a roof.
Once the roofs were closed at Rod Laver Arena, a 10-minute cooling break was introduced before resuming play. The tournament organizers confirmed that outdoor matches would not restart until at least 5:30 p.m. local time (01:30 a.m. ET).
Player Performances Under Pressure
Despite the extreme conditions, play resumed on John Cain Arena with Musetti eventually winning against Macháč after a tough five-set match, final scores being 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Sinner also recovered and won against Spizzirri with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Impact of Weather on Tournament Scheduling
In anticipation of the heat, the tournament began play earlier than usual. Matches started at 10:30 a.m. on show courts and 10:00 a.m. on outside courts. This strategic decision aimed to maximize play while minimizing players’ exposure to the sun.
With temperatures soaring around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the adjustment in scheduling was crucial. Tournament officials are committed to ensuring player safety amid challenging weather conditions.
