TENNIS: Organizers invoke extreme heat policy on hottest day at Australian Open

Australian Open organisers activated the extreme heat policy as temperatures topped 40°C, closing roofs and suspending play on outer courts to protect players and staff. Matches on the main showcourts continued under the roof, while other events and practice sessions were paused amid forecasts of even hotter conditions.

Michael Church / Reuters

January 27, 2026

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka cools off with ice packs during a break in her Australian Open quarterfinal match against the U.S.’s Iva Jovic at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2026.

Jaimi Joy / Reuters

MELBOURNE — Australian Open organizers activated their extreme heat policy as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park on Tuesday, leading to the suspension of play on outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main showcourts.

The tournament’s “Heat Stress Scale” reached the highest level of 5.0 early in the afternoon, with the temperature breaking through the 40°C (104°F) mark by 2 p.m., marking the hottest day of the tournament so far.

The Australian Open’s extreme heat policy evaluates air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed, and humidity to determine playing conditions. The threshold was reached shortly after world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka completed her 6-3, 6-0 victory over American teenager Iva Jovic, prompting the roof at Rod Laver Arena to close as the players left the court.

“By the end of the match, it was really hot out there,” Sabalenka said. “I’m glad they closed the roof halfway through so we had shade. I knew they wouldn’t let us play in extreme heat. If the scale reached five, they would close the roof to protect our health.”

Sabalenka added that the scale was at 4.4 when she finished, but she was relieved that officials prioritized player safety.

The quarterfinal match between third seed Alexander Zverev and 25th seed Learner Tien began under the roof at Rod Laver Arena. The only other match underway at Melbourne Park was a mixed doubles quarterfinal at Margaret Court Arena, also under the roof, while practice sessions on outer courts were suspended.

Organizers, players, and fans had been preparing for another day of blistering heat, with temperatures expected to rise into the mid-40s later in the day. Entry lines were shorter than usual, and the venue’s concourses were notably less crowded, a contrast to the record attendance seen earlier in the tournament.

Wheelchair Championship matches were postponed by 24 hours due to the forecast heat. Officials also advised fans to bring hats, drink plenty of water, and use misting fans placed around Melbourne Park.

Additional safety measures were implemented for tournament staff. Ball kids were given shorter on-court shifts, longer recovery breaks, and extra relief support.

-Reporting by Michael Church, with additional reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Peter Rutherford/Reuters