Extreme heat at the Australian Open caused havoc on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 34C by 2pm and the tournament's heat stress scale rising to level 5, leading to the closure of roofs on major courts and suspension of play on outer courts. Defending champion Jannik Sinner struggled with full-body cramps during his match against Eliot Spizzirri, telling his team: “I don’t know what to do. I’m fucked.” The roof closure on Rod Laver Arena allowed him to recover and win.
Earlier, Tomas Machac and Lorenzo Musetti endured a brutal four-hour, 25-minute battle under the sun in the open John Cain Arena, with Machac requesting the doctor, trainer and pickle juice early on. Musetti praised his own management of the heat, saying: “I think I managed well to finish the match without cramping.”
Players took various precautions: Jessica Pegula, who won her match comfortably, stressed the importance of ice towels and hydration, noting that a lack of tolerance to heat can catch players off guard. Madison Keys adjusted her racket tension to account for the faster ball flight in warmer air. The tournament provided free sunscreen and water stations, and play started half an hour earlier than usual as organisers anticipated the heat.
The extreme heat has prompted renewed debate about player welfare, following the ATP's recent introduction of heat rules after numerous retirements at the Shanghai Masters. The Australian Open's heat stress scale, which mandates extended breaks at level 4 and suspends outdoor play at level 5, was triggered as the temperature soared.
