Australian Open matches suspended after implementation of extreme heat policy

The tournament referee at the ongoing Australian Open has reportedly applied the extreme heat policy at Melbourne Park due to the soaring temperatures, forcing matches to be suspended.

Temperatures hit 42 degrees on day four of the first Grand Slam of the year, with tournament referee Wayne McEwen deeming conditions unsafe for players and suspending all matches in play on the outside courts at the end of the set in progress.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, however, on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, play continues with the roof to be closed at the conclusion of the set - barring any objections from the match referee.

The report mentioned that the extreme heat policy is applied when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing the referee to suspend play at his discretion, adding that the women in the singles draw were allowed a 10-minute break between the second and third sets and ice vests are provided on all courts.

Matches interrupted because of the extreme heat policy include Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's match against Thomaz Bellucci and Andreas Seppi versus Donald Young, although the Tsonga-Bellucci match restarted when the roof was closed on Hisense Arena.

The forecast top for Melbourne on Thursday is 44 degrees while Friday is expected to reach 42 ahead of a gusty change, and the report added that nine players retired during the first round, some due to heat.