Australian Open organisers moved matches earlier to avoid extreme 40C heat in Melbourne, with players and fans urged to take precautions.
THE Australian Open will start matches earlier on Saturday due to a forecast of extreme 40C heat.
Play on the main arenas will begin at 10:30 am, ahead of the usual 11:00 or 11:30 am start time.
Matches on other courts will commence as early as 10:00 am to take advantage of cooler morning conditions.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said organisers expect pleasant mid-20s conditions in the morning.
“We expect pleasant conditions tomorrow morning, in the mid-20s, and will start play earlier and take advantage of the more temperate conditions,” Tiley said.
Novak Djokovic and reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are all scheduled to play on Saturday.
Temperatures are forecast to peak in the late afternoon before dropping closer to normal on Sunday.
The mercury is predicted to rise sharply again to a scorching 43C on Tuesday.
Three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev said the intense weather could impact his practice for the last 16.
“Worst case, if it’s too hot, we can always go indoors. I would prefer outdoors,” Medvedev said.
He added it would be interesting to watch how players cope on television.
“Hopefully no heat stroke and stuff like this,” he said.
Australian Open rules allow the tournament referee to suspend play or order cooling breaks in extreme weather.
Courts with roofs, such as the centre court Rod Laver Arena, could have their covers closed.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka called Melbourne’s famously fickle weather “crazy”.
“I wouldn’t like to play a match because I think it’s too much on our bodies,” said the four-time major champion.
She noted the weather requires significant adjustments to equipment and match approach.
“It’s going like a rollercoaster. We’ll see who adjusted better in the next days,” Sabalenka said.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne will see highs of 24C on Sunday before temperatures ramp up again early next week. – AFP
