Australian Open 2026 Faces Major Disruption as Extreme Heat Grips Melbourne Park
The Australian Open 2026 has been significantly disrupted by an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees Celsius on day seven of the tournament at Melbourne Park. Officials have been forced to implement strict heat protocols, including closing stadium roofs and suspending play on outdoor courts, as players brace for challenging conditions.
Defending Champions Navigate Scorching Conditions
Defending women's champion Madison Keys managed to avoid the worst of the heatwave on Saturday, securing a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory over Karolina Plíšková in just 75 minutes. The American, who hails from Florida, expressed readiness for the conditions, stating she gave herself a "pat on the back" for handling the match efficiently. "I was excited for the heat today. Being a Floridian, I was ready for it," Keys remarked, adding she was pleased with her clean performance.
Meanwhile, defending men's champion Jannik Sinner faced a tougher challenge, trailing against American world No. 85 Eliot Spizzirri in his third-round match. Sinner, who suffered a medical episode due to heat exhaustion during last year's tournament, was seen wiping sweat from his face and using ice packs during changeovers as temperatures climbed rapidly.
Heat Stress Scale Triggers Protocol Measures
The tournament's heat stress scale, which measures radiant heat, humidity, air temperature, and wind speed, became a critical factor throughout the day. During Keys' match, the scale registered at 2.4, well below the level 5 threshold required for play suspension. However, by early afternoon, the scale exceeded 4, triggering a mandatory 10-minute break between the third and fourth sets in ongoing matches.
Officials had anticipated the challenging conditions, bringing forward the start of play by 30 minutes on Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast predicted a peak temperature of 40°C at 5pm, with mercury levels remaining as high as 38°C until 8pm. By midday, temperatures had already reached 32°C, climbing steadily throughout the afternoon.
Player Preparations and Crowd Impact
Australian player Alex De Minaur, following his Friday night victory, emphasised the importance of preparation. "You've got to make sure that you hydrate, you eat well, you recover well," he advised, highlighting the use of ice towels from the first game and seeking shade whenever possible. "Get ready for feeling uncomfortable. But sometimes that's part of tennis," he added.
The extreme heat is expected to impact crowd numbers significantly, with officials predicting lower attendance on what is traditionally one of the tournament's busiest days. Spectators sought relief using water misters and free sunscreen, while many used towels to shield themselves from the sun's intensity.
As the Australian Open 2026 progresses, players and organisers alike will continue to monitor conditions closely, balancing competitive integrity with athlete safety in one of tennis's most challenging environmental tests.
