MELBOURNE, Australia — Play at the Australian Open was halted Saturday due to extreme heat. The tournament’s Heat Stress Scale hit a level that required the roofs of the three main stadiums to close and all outdoor matches to pause.
World No. 2 and defending champion Jannik Sinner was one of the players who benefited from this rule. He experienced severe cramping during his match against Eliot Spizzirri, struggling to serve and move at 3-1 down in the third set when the scale reached 5.0. According to tournament guidelines, play is suspended when the score is even or after a tiebreak.
Once the roof on Rod Laver Arena closed, Sinner and Spizzirri played the final games of the set and took a 10-minute break to cool down.
The Heat Stress Scale considers four factors: air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed. These elements are crucial in determining a player’s ability to manage body heat effectively.
Lorenzo Musetti and Tomas Macháč’s match on John Cain Arena was also paused, with Musetti leading 2-0 in the fifth set. However, matches on outdoor courts continued to be affected, especially on Kia Arena, which lacks a roof. At the time of suspension, there were no ongoing matches on Margaret Court Arena.
The tournament later announced that outdoor matches would not resume until 5:30 p.m. local time (01:30 a.m. ET). When Musetti and Macháč resumed under cover, Musetti came away with a hard-fought victory: 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
To combat the heat, tournament organizers started matches earlier than usual—at 10:30 a.m. on show courts and 10 a.m. for outdoor games. This adjustment allowed for a better experience for players and fans, shifting one match from Kia Arena to the cooler, shaded Margaret Court Arena.
In the end, Sinner emerged victorious against Spizzirri, finishing with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Staying hydrated and managing physical condition during hot weather is vital, a view supported by sports health experts. They emphasize that heat can severely affect performance and wellbeing.
As temperatures reached around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), many players expressed concerns about competing in such harsh conditions. Social media buzzed with comments from fans and players alike, some calling for stricter regulations regarding player safety during extreme weather.
For insights into managing heat stress in sports, consider resources from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. This highlights the importance of prioritizing athlete safety amid rising global temperatures.
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