MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – As extreme temperatures grip Melbourne Park, the Australian Open is once again activating its Extreme Heat Protocol. On Tuesday, temperatures were expected to soar to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), prompting tournament officials to prepare for its implementation.
Introduced in 2019, the Heat Stress Scale is utilized by the Australian Open as a measure of the risk of heat-related illness among players. The scale ranges from 1 to 5 and considers four crucial climate factors: air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed. This system was developed to ensure consistency for all competitors and enhance safety during play in oppressive heat conditions.
Under this protocol, there are set thresholds for interventions aimed at cooling players. When the Heat Stress Scale reaches a level of 5, play is automatically suspended for both women's and men's singles matches. The tournament referee is empowered to pause any forthcoming matches scheduled on outdoor courts under these extreme conditions. Furthermore, should matches already in progress on outdoor courts be halted, the referee may decide to close or keep the roof of arena courts shut for upcoming contests.
The decision to resume play is left to the referee's discretion, who must provide players with at least a half-hour notice before the resumption. If the index reaches level 4, organizers can introduce an additional 10-minute break between the second and third sets of women's singles matches and between the third and fourth sets of men's singles matches. However, if the roof is closed before the completion of the first set in a women's singles match or before the end of the second set in a men's match, no extra cooling breaks will be granted.
On the day of implementation, the roof atop Rod Laver Arena was initially open during the first match as Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Iva Jovic with a score of 6-3, 6-0. As conditions intensified, the roof was subsequently closed for the following men's quarterfinal match featuring Alexander Zverev against American Learner Tien.
Officials have also issued guidelines to spectators attending the event, urging them to wear hats, apply sunscreen, and stay hydrated by drinking water. Additional advice includes utilizing shade and other cooling areas available on site, as well as allowing extra time for arrival to avoid stress during the heat.
The commitment to player safety and fan comfort during the Australian Open highlights the ongoing efforts by organizers to adapt to the challenges posed by extreme weather. As temperatures continue to rise annually, protocols like the Extreme Heat Protocol play a crucial role in ensuring that the tournament can proceed with the health of all participants at the forefront.
For more coverage on the Australian Open, you can find additional articles and updates on the official tennis AP news hub.
