Just in its second day, the Australian Open had to modify certain matches due to the extreme heat recorded in Melbourne. While tennis players from both the ATP and WTA circuits are used to competing in tournaments during the summer season, they should not face the temperatures that are registered at the first Grand Slam of the year, to the point where organizers had to implement a measure to protect the players.
The first week of the competition has recorded a maximum of 37º C, and of course, the most affected tennis players are those with a lower ranking who play on the more modest courts at Melbourne Park. The stars, on the other hand, are scheduled to play on the three stadiums, Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena, all of which have a retractable roof that is put in place for rain or extreme heat.
The rule that was implemented in 2019 after various investigations is based on four principles and revolves around a Thermal Stress Scale that ranges from 1 to 5. It takes into account the air temperature, radiant heat (sun strength), humidity, and wind speed, which are measured at five different points of the venue so that specialists can determine when it is no longer safe to compete. This measure came after Novak Djokovic criticized the tournament for not stopping his match against Gael Monfils in 2018 when they faced each other in extreme conditions.
Adjust the playing conditions
Increase hydration
Apply cooling strategies
Allow extended breaks
Suspend the game
The regulation also specifies "According to the tournament's extreme heat policy, the umpire will continuously review the conditions and policy to determine when play can resume on outdoor courts. Once that decision is made, players will receive at least 30 minutes' notice before play is resumed."
