Players could struggle in the heat at the Australian Open on Saturday (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The heat rule will likely come into effect on day seven of the Australian Open, with temperatures expected to reach the high 30s. Organisers have already taken precautionary measures by starting the main draw singles and doubles matches 30 to 60 minutes early, and have advised fans to stay safe in the extreme temperatures.
The Australian Open has its own Extreme Heat Protocol, which takes air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed into account. It also considers “the extent to which a person can control the rise in their body temperature and the physiological cost of doing so”.
These measures are expressed as the heat stress scale (HSS), something Tennis Australia implemented in 2019. The scale ranges from one to five, and cooling measures, breaks, and a full suspension in play can come into effect depending on the number on the scale. Heat stress scale readings are continually made throughout every day of the tournament.
Organisers explained: “In the event of extreme heat, the Referee has the right to suspend play or order a cooling break in accordance with this Australian Open Extreme Heat Protocol (EHP). The EHP applies to both the outdoor courts and the Arena Courts (Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena).”
If the heat stress scale reaches 5 for women’s and men’s singles and doubles; 4.9 for junior singles and doubles; or 4.6 for wheelchair singles and doubles, any match in progress on the outdoor courts will be suspended.
Play will continue “until the end of an even number of games in that set (or completion of a tie break, if applicable). At the completion of the even number of games in that set (or completion of the tie break, if applicable), play will be suspended. In these circumstances the referee will also suspend all outdoor practice sessions.”
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Matches at the Australian Open will start earlier on Saturday to avoid the heat of the day (Image: Getty)
Similarly, for any matches in progress in an Arena Court at the time the heat stress scale reaches the previously mentioned figures for the respective draws, play will continue will continue until an even number of games in that set (or completion of the tie break, if applicable). The roof will then be closed until the end of the match.
Any time the scale also reaches the thresholds outlined above, the referee can suspend any upcoming matches from being called to the outdoor courts. The referee will continue to monitor the heat stress scale during any suspension of play to decide when it can resume. Players are then given at least 30 minutes’ notice of resumption of play.
There will also be 10-minute cooling breaks in women’s singles matches if a heat scale reading of 4 is recorded at any time in the first two sets, with the break to be taken between sets two and three. The same applies in the first three sets of men’s singles matches, with the break to be taken between the third and fourth sets.
In junior matches, if a reading of 3.9 is recorded during the first two sets, a 10-minute break applies between sets two and three. And in wheelchair singles matches, if a recording of 3.6 is recorded during the first two sets, there will be a 15-minute break between sets two and three.
During a break, “players may stay on court and use approved cooling measures and/or attend designated cooling rooms/showers.” No cooling breaks apply in doubles.
The Australian Open’s guide also states that a cooling break cannot apply in “a match that resumes after a suspension of play, for any reason, where, before the suspension one set was completed for Women’s, Junior & Wheelchair Singles or two sets were completed for Men’s Singles (Main Draw), the 10-minute break will no longer apply, unless otherwise decided by the Referee.”
Or “in an Arena Court match if the roof is closed before the conclusion of the first set in a best of 3 set match or before the conclusion on the second set in a best of 5 set match.”
These measures may well take effect on Sunday. Play has been moved up to 10.30am local time for all main draw singles and doubles matches. Junior matches were already scheduled to start at 10am. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We expect pleasant conditions tomorrow morning, in the mid-20s, and will start play earlier and take advantage of the more temperate conditions.”
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