In a striking decision reflecting the extreme conditions, the Australian Open announced a suspension of all play on outdoor courts due to soaring temperatures in Melbourne. This significant move came after the tournament's Heat Stress Scale determined that the heat had reached a level where the roofs over the three main stadiums needed to be closed, forcing an interruption for all matches taking place outside.
Among those impacted by this decision was the world’s second-ranked player and reigning champion Jannik Sinner. During his match against opponent Elliot Spizzirri, Sinner experienced intense cramping while trailing 3-1 in the third set. He struggled to serve or maneuver effectively until the Heat Stress Scale hit 5.0. According to the tournament rules, play is halted at an even number of games or after the conclusion of a tiebreak, thus ensuring player safety under such harsh conditions.
The Heat Stress Scale evaluates four key climate factors: air temperature, radiant heat (essentially how strong the sun's rays are), humidity levels, and wind speed. These elements collectively influence how well a player can manage and dissipate body heat during competition.
In another match on John Cain Arena, Lorenzo Musetti and Tomas Macháč had their game paused while Musetti was ahead 2-0 in the fifth set. Meanwhile, Linda Nosková's contest on Kia Arena also saw a stoppage, primarily because this venue lacks a roof. At the moment of the suspension, there were no active matches on Margaret Court Arena.
Later in the day, officials confirmed that outdoor matches would not resume until at least 5:30 p.m. local time (which translates to 01:30 a.m. ET), as temperatures were anticipated to soar close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 38 degrees Celsius) during the peak afternoon hours. To address these extreme weather conditions proactively, the tournament commenced earlier than usual, beginning play at 10:30 a.m. on the main courts and at 10 a.m. on the outer courts. This adjustment allowed one match originally scheduled for Kia Arena to be shifted to Margaret Court Arena to maximize the opportunities for play in shaded areas.
James Hansen, a Senior Editor at The Athletic, specializes in tennis coverage. Before joining The Athletic in 2024, he spent nearly five years as an editor with Vox Media in London. A graduate of Cambridge University, where he played college tennis (not related to the American circuit), Hansen is currently the team captain at Ealing Tennis Club located in west London. You can follow James on Twitter @jameskhansen.
