What to know about the heat policy at the Australian Open

Australian Open Activates Extreme Heat Measures as Temperatures Soar in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Open implemented special heat management protocols Saturday as temperatures climbed toward 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) at Melbourne Park, with matches starting an hour earlier than scheduled to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions.

Tournament officials activated the competition’s Extreme Heat Protocol as Melbourne faced a scorching forecast. By early afternoon, the event’s Heat Stress Scale reached level 4, triggering additional cooling measures for players competing in the outdoor conditions.

The Australian Open introduced its comprehensive Heat Stress Scale in 2019 after several years of dealing with extreme temperatures that occasionally exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). The system measures four key environmental factors – air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed – creating a more sophisticated approach than relying on temperature alone.

“The scale was developed specifically to provide consistency for all competitors and minimize health risks associated with playing in extreme heat,” said a tournament spokesperson. The relatively low humidity of around 20 percent on Saturday helped prevent conditions from reaching the most severe level, despite the climbing temperatures.

The protocol establishes clear thresholds for intervention. When the index reaches level 4, as it did around 1:30 p.m. local time, an additional 10-minute break is mandated between the second and third sets in women’s singles matches and between the third and fourth sets in men’s singles contests.

If conditions deteriorate further to reach level 5, play is automatically suspended on all outdoor courts. The tournament referee then has authority to close roofs on arena courts for any upcoming matches or keep roofs closed if already positioned that way.

Melbourne Park’s three primary showcourts – Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena – all feature retractable roofs that can be deployed during extreme weather, allowing the tournament to continue major matches despite challenging outdoor conditions.

However, most outer courts lack such protection, leaving players and officials exposed to the elements. During previous extreme heat events at the tournament, outer court surfaces have become so hot that players reported their shoes melting or feeling blistered feet through their footwear.

The current heat protocols represent a significant evolution in how the tournament manages player welfare. Before 2019, the Australian Open used a more straightforward temperature-based system that was criticized for being too simplistic and not accounting for humidity and other factors that affect how heat impacts athletes.

Tournament officials also issued guidance for spectators attending Saturday’s matches, encouraging them to wear hats, apply sunscreen regularly, drink plenty of water, and utilize shaded areas throughout the grounds. Extra water stations were set up around Melbourne Park, and cooling zones with misters were available in key locations.

Climate scientists have noted that the Australian Open, traditionally held during the peak of the Australian summer in January, faces increasing challenges from climate change. A Climate Council of Australia report indicated that Melbourne now experiences approximately double the number of days above 35 degrees Celsius compared to the mid-20th century.

The extreme heat protocols are just one example of how sporting events worldwide are adapting to more challenging climate conditions. Similar measures have been implemented at other Grand Slam tennis tournaments, including the US Open, which introduced its own heat policy after several players suffered heat-related illnesses during recent competitions.

As Saturday’s play continued under the watchful eye of tournament officials and medical staff, the referee maintained the authority to suspend play if conditions worsened, with players to be given at least 30 minutes notice before any resumption of matches.