Organisers of the Australian Open have announced a significant alteration to Saturday's schedule in response to forecasts of extreme heat expected to hit Melbourne. Play at Melbourne Park will now commence earlier than originally planned, with third-round matches on the main show courts beginning at 10.30am local time, a full hour ahead of the usual start. Action on the outside courts is scheduled to kick off even earlier, at 10am.
Heat Stress Scale Implementation
The tournament's proactive response is guided by its heat stress scale, first implemented in 2019. This comprehensive system is specifically designed to safeguard player welfare during adverse weather conditions. The scale meticulously evaluates multiple environmental factors, including air temperature, radiant heat, humidity levels, and wind speed.
Should the scale reach level four, mandatory cooling breaks between sets will be introduced for players. If conditions deteriorate further to level five, a complete suspension of play will be enforced across all outdoor courts.
Contingency Plans for Saturday's Play
For Saturday's schedule, organisers have strategically placed all but three of the main draw singles matches on the three show courts equipped with retractable roofs. This means that if the heat stress scale hits its highest threshold, play can continue uninterrupted indoors on these covered courts, while matches on outside courts would be paused until conditions improve.
Among the prominent players scheduled for the day session is two-time defending men's champion Jannik Sinner. Meanwhile, tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are set to compete during the evening session when temperatures are expected to be more moderate.
Tournament Director's Statement
Tournament director Craig Tiley explained the reasoning behind the schedule adjustment: "We expect pleasant conditions tomorrow morning, in the mid-20s, and will start play earlier to take full advantage of these more temperate conditions. This proactive measure ensures player safety remains our utmost priority while minimising disruption to the tournament schedule."
Friday's Play Unaffected
The extreme heat forecast did not impact Friday's matches, where several top players successfully secured their places in the fourth round. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev both advanced to the last sixteen, with Medvedev enduring a particularly challenging five-set thriller to progress.
In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff also booked their fourth-round spots after being pushed hard in their respective matches, demonstrating remarkable resilience and competitive spirit despite the challenging conditions building in Melbourne.
