US EditionPlay Suspended at Australian Open Due to Extreme Heat
Play on outside courts is suspended under the highest Heat Stress Scale, with special conditions for staff and ballkids to protect health during temperatures reaching 45C.
- Yesterday, Australian Open organisers activated the five-level Extreme Heat Policy as temperatures were forecast to reach 45C on Tuesday, urging fans to drink water and stay in the shade and postponing the Grand Slam wheelchair championships.
- Because Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature measures humidity as well as heat, organisers rely on it and the Heat Stress Scale, calculated from radiant heat, shaded air temperature, humidity and wind around Melbourne Park.
- AO operations and medical teams are implementing earlier gate openings, allowing ground-pass ticket holders access to Margaret Court Arena, reducing ballkid rotations with extra recovery squads, and the Tournament Referee deciding on cooling breaks or suspending play.
- On Saturday, play was suspended when temperatures hit 40C and roofs closed on major venues; top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka will play on Rod Laver Arena, with Alcaraz saying `Whatever it is, I just will be ready`.
- Looking beyond the tournament, new heat rules and past records highlight future safety measures as Victoria state fire-danger warnings and inland Victoria forecast 49C.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Australian Open forced to activate extreme heat protocol as scorching temperatures reach 17-year high
Melbourne Park experienced its most scorching conditions in 17 years earlier today, with temperatures climbing to a blistering 43C, forcing Australian Open officials to activate their extreme heat protocol.The tournament's Heat Stress Scale reached its maximum threshold of 5.0 during the early afternoon, with the mercury surpassing 40C by 2pm local time before peaking at 43C around 4.30pm.Organisers responded by halting all matches on the outer …
Major competition undergoes abrupt change as catastrophic threat looms over region: 'Extremely dangerous at that point'
Australian Open officials suspected that extreme heat was going to be a factor for athletes at this year's event — and they were right. What's happening? Open organizers had planned for earlier start times in an effort to beat severe temperatures during tennis matches, scheduled from Jan. 12 to Feb. 1 in Melbourne, which is summertime for Australia. But extreme heat resulted in suspended outside play and arena roof closures. A ball girl even co…
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