Scorcher In Melbourne: Extreme Heat Halts Australian Open Play

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 10:15 IST

Australian Open matches paused because of extreme heat as Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys adapt to scorching conditions at Melbourne Park.

Jannik Sinner's match was paused due to extreme heat (Picture credit: AP)

All the ongoing matches and practice sessions at the Australian Open had to be halted for a while due to extreme heat, with the organisers pausing all action before necessary measures were taken to control the situation. Defending champion Jannik Sinner’s match was also paused.

On day seven at Melbourne Park, players, spectators and officials battled scorching conditions, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C by late afternoon.

The tournament has a Heat Stress Scale of 1-5, with five being the highest. It hit five in the early afternoon, when it was about 36C, prompting the suspension.

The third-round clash between Sinner and the American Eliot Spizzirri at Rod Laver Arena stopped for about 10 minutes, permitting time for the roof to shut.

“The AO Heat Stress Scale is above 5.0. Play is suspended for all matches and practice on outside courts," Australian Open tweeted on Saturday morning.

Earlier, women’s defending champion Madison Keys revelled in the scorching temperatures to set up a last-16 showdown with fellow American Jessica Pegula.

Matches began an hour earlier than usual due to the heatwave and Keys had no intention of hanging about.

The 30-year-old Keys said that being based in Florida meant she was well used to baking temperatures.

“I am feeling really good and I was excited for the heat today and ready for it," Keys said after her match.

The sixth-seeded Pegula powered past unseeded Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2 in 66 minutes.

“Nice to be first out on court and not a super long match and did not need to kill myself in the heat today," Pegula said.

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