Melbourne sizzled under a punishing 36°C on Saturday, derailing the Australian Open’s schedule. Outdoor courts fell silent as roofs clamped down on major venues, a direct response to soaring heat indices threatening players and packed stands.
The policy is airtight: monitor temperature, radiant energy, wind flow, humidity. Hit condition 5? Play ceases. This safeguard postponed numerous matches, emphasizing human limits over competitive fervor.
Hydration stations buzzed with activity; hats and mist fans became essentials. Jannik Sinner, men’s title defender, cramped up on Rod Laver Arena—his match paused eight minutes for recovery beneath the sealed roof.
Ben Shelton took on Valentin Vacherot inside Margaret Court Arena. Officials locked out outdoor tennis until late afternoon, accelerating some lineups to beat the heat’s crescendo.
Madison Keys, women’s guardian of the crown, vanquished Karolina Pliskova in the furnace. Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova prevailed too, leaning on preseason scorchers for resilience. As temperatures dip, the Open resumes, reminding all of tennis’s raw physical demands.