Australian Open schedule revised due to extreme heat
Organisers at the Australian Open have revised the tournament timetable for a second time in four days as Melbourne anticipates scorching temperatures of up to 42C on Tuesday, reports BritPanorama.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heat warning for the entire state of Victoria. Over the weekend, play was halted on uncovered courts for nearly five hours after the tournament’s heat stress scale reached its maximum threshold of five, with temperatures nearing 40C.
In response to the soaring temperatures, officials are implementing protective measures for players and staff. Ball boys and girls will rotate more frequently and receive extended recovery periods between shifts. Wheelchair competitions featuring British defending champions Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, and Andy Lapthorne have been postponed to Wednesday as a precaution.
Moreover, matches on outside courts have been brought forward to 9 am local time, two hours earlier than the usual schedule, intensifying the focus on junior players who will compete in overly challenging conditions on courts without retractable roofs.
Russell Fuller, BBC Sport’s tennis correspondent, highlighted the specific difficulties faced by young competitors: “Do you know who suffers the most?” he asked, emphasizing the burdens placed upon them. He noted the unusual demands placed on junior players, who often contend with a grueling schedule of matches.
Lapthorne has raised concerns regarding the particular risks wheelchair competitors face under these extreme conditions. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, he explained, “There are players within our category that can’t sweat if they’ve got a spinal cord injury.” He further added, “They don’t have the ability to cool down, so it can be quite dangerous if they’re in really extreme heat.”
The four singles quarter-finals will proceed as planned on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, both of which have retractable roofs and air-conditioning systems to mitigate the oppressive conditions. World number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are among those scheduled to compete in these protected environments. However, tournament officials have yet to confirm if the roofs will be closed from the beginning of Tuesday’s events.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner acknowledged the advantages gained from Saturday’s heat intervention, admitting he “got lucky with the heat rule” after experiencing cramping during his previous match against Eliot Spizzirri.
The evolving situation of the Australian Open serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between athletic ambition and the harsh realities of nature. As players adjust to punishing conditions, the human element of sport comes sharply into focus, highlighting the resolve required not just to win, but simply to compete.
