Australian Open Matches Halted Due to Extreme Heat
Australian Open officials activated extreme heat protocols as Melbourne Park faced dangerously high temperatures. On a particularly hot day, play was suspended on the outside courts shortly after 2:30 PM AEDT. To ensure player safety and match continuity, the roofs were closed on the indoor venues.
Heat Stress Scale Triggers Suspension
The decision to halt play came when the heat stress scale peaked at five, the highest level. The temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius around 3 PM AEDT, just two degrees shy of the forecast maximum. Matches on the outside courts remained suspended for approximately five hours until conditions improved.
Early Matches Can Continue
Despite the extreme conditions, play began early on day seven, with matches kicking off at 10:30 AM AEDT. Notable performances included sixth seed Jessica Pegula, who efficiently won against Oksana Selekhmeteva with a score of 6-3, 6-2. Pegula completed her match in an hour and six minutes on Margaret Court Arena, avoiding the more intolerable afternoon heat.
Player Experiences with the Heat
- Jessica Pegula: “It started to get a little hot,” she noted, mentioning her use of ice towels for pre-cooling.
- Madison Keys: The defending champion also played in the morning. She defeated Karolína Plíšková with a score of 6-3, 6-3 without feeling overwhelmed by the heat.
Keys expressed surprise at the temperature readings. “I didn’t really notice it that much, to be honest,” she remarked.
Future Heat Forecasts
The Australian Open will likely face similar challenges in the upcoming days. The forecast for Tuesday predicts temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Organizers remain vigilant, prepared to act swiftly should conditions deteriorate again.
