Overview
- Mexican player Renata Zarazúa posted an Instagram photo showing severe back burns after a nearly three‑hour Hobart International match against Hailey Baptiste, writing, “El sol de Australia no es broma.”
- Health guidance cited in coverage reported UV index readings of 8–11 in Tasmania, a level considered very high even as ambient temperatures hovered around 26°C.
- The image drew widespread attention in the final week before the Australian Open starts on January 18, highlighting the risk from radiation exposure beyond simple air temperature.
- Zarazúa later shared that her burns were improving, while reports described extensive reddening and skin damage concentrated on her shoulders and upper back.
- The policy backdrop includes ATP’s 2026 heat‑stress rules using WBGT—suspending best‑of‑three matches above 32.2°C and allowing 10‑minute recovery pauses at or above 30.1°C—alongside tournament measures such as retractable roofs and match suspensions.