Australian Open Battles Extreme Heat: Policy Implementation and Schedule Adjustments
Melbourne experienced a heatwave during the Australian Open, prompting the implementation of the tournament's Extreme Heat Policy. High temperatures led to match suspensions on outdoor courts and the closure of roofs on main stadiums as the Heat Stress Scale reached its highest level. Schedule adjustments were made to mitigate player exposure, impacting match progression and player well-being.
Heatwave Conditions and Forecast
Melbourne faced a heatwave with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday. A total fire ban was issued across Victoria. Temperatures were projected to decrease on Sunday and Monday but were expected to rise again on Tuesday, potentially reaching 43-44 degrees Celsius in parts of Melbourne.
Australian Open Heat Management Protocols
The tournament operates under the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale (AO HSS), introduced in 2019. This five-point scale, developed in conjunction with an environmental management unit (EMU) established in 2018, assesses heat impact by considering air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed.
The Australian Open states its HSS is more accurate than the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index used by the ATP and WTA.
AO HSS Guidelines:
- Level 4.0: A 10-minute break is permitted between the second and third sets in women's and junior singles matches, and after the third set in men's singles. A 15-minute break is allowed in wheelchair singles matches.
- Level 5.0: The Tournament Referee can suspend the start of matches on outside courts and halt ongoing matches after an even number of games in a set or the completion of a tiebreak. Stadium roofs are closed for matches on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena.
Tournament Schedule Adjustments
In anticipation of high temperatures on Saturday, matches on main courts commenced an hour earlier at 10:30 a.m., with outdoor courts starting at 10 a.m. An additional match was scheduled for Margaret Court Arena, one of three courts with a retractable roof, to reduce play on open courts like Kia Arena. Top-ranked player Novak Djokovic was assigned an evening slot to mitigate heat exposure.
Match Suspensions and Player Impact on Saturday
On Saturday, play was suspended on all outdoor courts at Melbourne Park when the temperature reached approximately 36 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and the AO HSS reached 5.0. Play on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena was temporarily halted to allow for roof closures. Outdoor play was not scheduled to resume before 5:30 p.m. local time. A women's singles match between Linda Noskova and Wang on the open Kia Arena court was suspended for over four hours.
Medical experts state that tennis players' core temperatures can reach 39.4 degrees Celsius after two hours in hot conditions. The risk of heatstroke increases when core temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius.
A ball girl had previously collapsed on court during a match between Zeynep Sönmez and Ekaterina Alexandrova due to heat.
Jannik Sinner's Match Under Heat Protocols
During his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri on Rod Laver Arena, World No. 2 Jannik Sinner experienced full-body cramps in the third set. While Sinner was trailing, and specifically as Spizzirri broke his serve to lead 3-1, the AO HSS reached 5.0. This triggered the suspension of play and the closure of the roof on Rod Laver Arena.
Following the suspension, Sinner utilized the break to recover. Upon resumption under the closed roof, Sinner immediately broke back and went on to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Sinner noted his physical struggles during the match and acknowledged the timing of the heat rule implementation. Spizzirri accepted the rule as part of the game. Sinner had previously faced challenges with heat at the Shanghai Open and the Australian Open.
Player Perspectives
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka commented on preferring not to play in Saturday's heat but acknowledged the benefit of the heat rule and covered stadiums.
- American No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula expressed a preference to play earlier to avoid the heat, while noting satisfaction that her match proceeded with the roof open.
- No. 4 seed Amanda Anisimova mentioned relying on water and ice packs during changeovers to manage conditions.
Spectator Experience and Advice
The day session on Saturday recorded 51,048 attendees, a decrease from 62,065 on the corresponding Saturday of the previous year. Water misters and shaded areas were available throughout the grounds, particularly near hydration stations. Spectators were advised that consuming icy poles or slushies could assist in internal cooling.
ATP's New Heat Rule for 2026 Season
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) introduced a new heat rule effective from the 2026 season, which utilizes the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index.
Key provisions of the ATP rule include:
- A 10-minute cooling break is permitted when the WBGT reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius or higher during the first two sets of best-of-three singles matches.
- An additional 10-minute cooling break after the second set can be requested by either player.
- Play will be suspended if the WBGT exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius.
- During breaks, players are permitted to use cooling measures, hydrate, change clothing, shower, and receive coaching under ATP medical staff supervision.
Tournament Progression
In subsequent rounds, all top six seeds in both the men's and women's draws reached the quarter-finals, a first for the Open era. Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2). Novak Djokovic also advanced to the quarter-finals after Jakub Mensik withdrew from their scheduled fourth-round match. Casper Ruud, the 12th seed, was eliminated by Ben Shelton 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round. Quarter-final matchups were subsequently set in both the men's and women's draws.