Play on the outside courts at the Australian Open was halted on Saturday, and the roofs were closed on the main showcourts after the tournament invoked its extreme heat policy, with temperatures soaring to 36°C (97°F) at Melbourne Park.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner struggled with cramping and mobility as he trailed unseeded Eliot Spizzirri 6-4, 3-6, 3-1 on Rod Laver Arena. The tournament’s Heat Stress Scale hit 5.0 just as Sinner went down 3-1 in the third set, granting him an eight-minute break before play resumed.

Meanwhile, fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti was leading Tomas Machac 2-0 in the fifth set at John Cain Arena when his match was paused. At Margaret Court Arena, Valentin Vacherot and Ben Shelton began their match under closed roofs. Tournament officials said no matches would take place on outdoor courts until 5:30 p.m. local time (06:30 GMT).

Early Start, Stifling Conditions

Matches began an hour earlier than usual to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. However, the heat was already oppressive by 10:30 a.m. when defending champion Madison Keys stepped onto centre court for her third-round match.

Florida-based Keys, accustomed to hot conditions, needed just 75 minutes to defeat Karolina Pliskova. Fellow Americans Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova also thrived, moving into the next round.

“I didn’t have to kind of kill myself today,” Pegula said after her 6-3, 6-2 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Anisimova added, “I hated training in the summer, but at least it paid off a little. It’s great to play out here even when it’s so hot. It’s a challenge, but a welcome one.”

Extreme Heat Policy in Action

The Australian Open operates under a five-point extreme heat policy, which considers air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed, and humidity. When thresholds are reached, matches can be delayed or suspended. Early afternoon readings were at 3.4 when Sinner and Spizzirri arrived on court. At level four, players receive longer breaks between sets; level five triggers suspension of outdoor matches and closure of main showcourt roofs.

Officials urged fans to bring hats, stay hydrated, and make use of misting fans around Melbourne Park.

Sydney resident Sarah Gellatly applied sunscreen before entering the grounds, noting the players would face the toughest part of the day. “It’s really hot, but touring players are used to the heat,” she said.

First-time visitor Mat Vonarx from Melbourne, attending with a ground pass for outdoor courts, said fans were prepared for the conditions. “We knew it was going to be very hot today, but it’s tennis. We’ve brought plenty of water and we’re ready. The players will just have to tough it out—they’re professionals.”