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The Australian Open has changed its schedule for the second time in four days due to extreme heat, with temperatures in Melbourne expected to reach 42C on Tuesday. Wheelchair events, featuring British defending champions Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, and Andy Lapthorne, have been postponed until Wednesday. Junior matches on the outside courts have been moved forward to 09:00 local time, or 22:00 GMT, to avoid the peak heat.
The four singles quarter-finals, including world number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, along with several doubles matches, will be held on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena. Both arenas have retractable roofs and air-conditioning, which
allow matches to continue in cooler conditions. Organizers have not confirmed whether the roofs will be closed at the start of play on Tuesday. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heat warning across Victoria.
Temperatures approaching 40C forced a suspension of matches on Saturday, with play on outside courts halted for five hours while indoor courts continued. The tournament's heat scale, which measures radiant heat, air temperature in the shade, humidity, and wind speed, reached its maximum of five. The extreme conditions create challenges for all players, but wheelchair athletes face additional risks. Lapthorne told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra that some competitors cannot sweat due to spinal cord injuries, making it difficult to cool down. He described how cramp can develop while pushing a wheelchair and playing, creating dangerous situations.
Tournament organizers have implemented measures to protect players and fans, including schedule adjustments and facilities to help spectators cope with the heat. However, not all players have the advantage of indoor courts. BBC Sport's Russell Fuller noted that junior players face particularly tough conditions, playing early in the morning and returning later in the evening while temperatures remain high. John Cain Arena, the third roofed court at Melbourne Park, will not be used on Tuesday.
Saturday saw men's second seed Jannik Sinner struggle with cramp during his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri. When the heat scale reached its maximum, the umpire paused play and the roof was closed, allowing Sinner to recover and win the match. British junior Hollie Smart was also affected, retiring from her first-round match against Azuna Ichioka after cramping.
The extreme heat is caused by northerly winds bringing warm air from Australia's interior, while southerly winds can bring cold Antarctic air, resulting in large temperature swings in Melbourne. Players and coaches face difficulty predicting the weather and adjusting strategies or clothing accordingly, adding another challenge to competing in the tournament.
