Tournament organizers have instituted their extreme heat protocols amid blistering temperatures in the region.
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus puts an ice pack on her face
The extreme heat protocol, introduced in 2019, was developed to minimize the risk of heat-related illness and provide consistency for all players
Australian Open organizers instituted their extreme heat policy as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
It prompted the suspension of play on outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main showcourts.
The protocol, introduced in 2019, was developed to minimize the risk of heat-related illness and provide consistency for all players.
It considers air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed humidity to assess playing conditions, and sets thresholds for cooling interventions.
Tournament organizers have instituted their extreme heat protocols amid blistering temperatures in the region.
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The extreme heat protocol, introduced in 2019, was developed to minimize the risk of heat-related illness and provide consistency for all players
Australian Open organizers instituted their extreme heat policy as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
It prompted the suspension of play on outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main showcourts.
The protocol, introduced in 2019, was developed to minimize the risk of heat-related illness and provide consistency for all players.
It considers air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed humidity to assess playing conditions, and sets thresholds for cooling interventions.
Fans are seen as the matches of the outside courts have been suspended due to the Heat Rule during day seven of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne.
Australian Open organizers have encouraged spectators to wear hats, apply sunscreen and drink lots of water.Image: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
‘It was really hot out there’
In the event of extreme heat, the tournament referee has the authority to suspend play on outdoor courts or order extra cooling breaks, among other options.
The tournament’s “Heat Stress ” reached the highest threshold of 5.0 on Tuesday afternoon with thetemperature breaking through the 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 Fahrenheit, mark by 2 p.m.
The threshold was reached soon after world number one Aryna Sabalenka completed her 6-3, 6-0 win over teenager Iva Jovic.
“At the end the match, it was really hot out there,” Sabalenka told reporters. “I’m glad they closed the roof almost halfway so we had a lot of shade in the back, so we could go back and stay in shade.”
