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Heat Halts Australian Open: Play Suspended Amidst Sweltering Temps
25 Jan
Summary
- Extreme heat forced play suspension and roof closures at Melbourne Park.
- Top players like Djokovic and Osaka are scheduled to continue matches.
- Outside court play was delayed, with resumption times uncertain.
Play at the Australian Open has been suspended and stadium roofs closed due to extreme heat gripping Melbourne Park. The dangerous temperatures have forced a halt to matches on outside courts, with official times for resumption uncertain. Several top players, including Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, and Stan Wawrinka, are scheduled to compete. Wawrinka's match against Taylor Fritz is a notable fixture. Outside court play, initially hoped to resume at 5:00 PM AEDT, was pushed back to at least 6:30 PM AEDT, with the possibility of matches extending into the next day. The heat stress scale reached its maximum reading of five, prompting the organizers' decision. Temperatures in Melbourne were nearing 40 degrees Celsius and were expected to exceed this mark. This severe weather event significantly impacts the tournament schedule, leaving players and fans to navigate the challenging conditions.
