January 27, 2026 | 06:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Open organizers instituted their extreme heat policy as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
It prompted the suspension of play on outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main showcourts.
The protocol, introduced in 2019, was developed to minimize the risk of heat-related illness and provide consistency for all players.
It considers air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed humidity to assess playing conditions, and sets thresholds for cooling interventions.
'It was really hot out there'
In the event of extreme heat, the tournament referee has the authority to suspend play on outdoor courts or order extra cooling breaks, among other options.
The tournament's "Heat Stress" reached the highest threshold of 5.0 on Tuesday afternoon with the temperature breaking through the 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 Fahrenheit, mark by 2 p.m.
The threshold was reached soon after world number one Aryna Sabalenka completed her 6-3, 6-0 win over teenager Iva Jovic.
"At the end the match, it was really hot out there," Sabalenka told reporters. "I'm glad they closed the roof almost halfway so we had a lot of shade in the back, so we could go back and stay in shade."
Heat wave conditions in Melbourne
Southeastern Australia is currently experiencing a major heat wave.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the temperature in Melbourne could hit as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
It added that the severe to extreme heat wave conditions are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, before gradually easing later in the week.
Given the blistering heat, Australian Open organizers have encouraged spectators to wear hats, apply sunscreen and drink lots of water.
They also urged them to make use of shade and other cooling areas on site.
Read: How to Prevent Migraines During Scorching Hot Days
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