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Australian Open Halts Outside Play as Heat Protocol Hits Maximum

Heat Stress Scale thresholds introduced in 2019 guided roof closures to limit heat illness.

Overview

  • For the second time this tournament, the Heat Stress Scale reached level 5, suspending all outdoor matches and closing the three arena roofs.
  • Temperatures at Melbourne Park peaked near 43°C, the hottest conditions there in 17 years, prompting widespread schedule changes.
  • Aryna Sabalenka finished her quarter-final over Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 just before the threshold was hit, advancing to the semifinals.
  • Alexander Zverev’s quarter-final against Learner Tien proceeded under the closed roof, with the German praising the air‑conditioned, 24°C conditions.
  • Wheelchair events were postponed by 24 hours, staff and ball-kid rotations were shortened with added cooling measures, and attendance fell to 43,750 versus an average of about 95,592 per day.