Australian Open unveils new heat policy to protect players

A new extreme heat policy “AO Heat Stress Scale” will be used for the first time in grand slam history at next month’s Australian Open to prevent players from fainting, and suffering heat stroke amid a plethora of criticism in 2018.

Gael Monfils tries to cool off with some water during his match against Novak Djokovic. Picture: Michael Klein

A new extreme heat policy that dictates when it is safe for the world’s best players to take to the court and rates temperature stress levels will be introduced at next month’s Australian Open.

Tennis Australia will on Saturday unveil a revamped policy to protect players from sweltering conditions at Melbourne Park, with air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, wind speed and strength of the sun to all be considered.

The Herald Sun can reveal an “AO Heat Stress Scale” will be used for the first time in grand slam history to prevent players from fainting, and suffering heat stroke and exhaustion.

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Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley. Picture: Getty Images

It comes after players enduring on court temperatures of up to 69C in long matches this year appealed to tournament organisers for changes in their interest of safety.

Players will be given extra breaks, more comprehensive measurement of climate conditions undertaken and state of the art technology used to help dictate when play should be suspended.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the changes would improve conditions for players during Melbourne’s summer heat.

“The wellbeing of all players at the Australian Open is our utmost priority and we have developed the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale after months of research and testing,” he said.

Maria Sharapova attempts to cool down between games during her match against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia at the 2018 Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“The AO Heat Stress Scale ranges from one to five with specific recommendations associated with each step of the scale — one denoting temperate playing conditions and five the suspension of play.”

Ten-minute breaks will be introduced after the third set for men’s singles matches for the first time, when level four is reached under the new heat stress scale.

The same break will be offered to women and junior singles players between the second and third sets.

And if the stress scale reaches level five, the tournament referee can suspend play or close stadium roofs.

Caroline Wozniacki uses ice between game to stay cool during her 2nd-round match at the 2018 Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

The new extreme heat policy was developed after research and testing by Tennis Australia medical staff and Sydney University experts studying the effects of heat stress on players.

Four climate factors — radiant heat (strength of the sun), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity and wind speed will be measured at five positions around the precinct, including on-court in Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena.

Previously, Australian Open chiefs relied on the closest BOM weather station at Olympic Park.

Tennis Australia chief medical officer Dr Carolyn Broderick said the new stress scale accounted for physiological variances between adults, wheelchair and junior athletes and how the climate affected player’s ability to disperse heat from their body.

Alize Cornet of France struggles with the heat in her third round match against Elise Mertens of Belgium on day five of the 2018 Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“The AO Heat Stress Scale takes advantage of the latest medical research into the effects of heat on the human body including the maximum heat stress an athlete can safely withstand, the sweat rate of that person and their core temperature,” she said.

Players will be able to view the heat stress scale at any time and tournament and medical staff will use it to guide cooling strategies.

Climate conditions on outdoor courts will be monitored to determine when play can recommence.

If climate conditions vary across the precinct, the highest reading will be used to determine whether to suspend or resume play.

Previously, the event’s extreme heat policy allowed the suspension of matches on outside courts and ordered roofs to be closed when the mercury hits 40C and the wet-bulb reading surpassed 32.5C.

Sweat flies as Rafael Nadal rips a backhand during the 2018 Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

The revamped policy will be far more comprehensive, using specially designed devices such as a black globe thermometer to measure radiant heat and an ultrasonic tool to measure wind speed in all directions.

Frenchman Gael Monfils said he was “dying on court” during an almost three-hour showdown with Novak Djokovic in 39C heat at this year’s Australian Open.

Alize Cornet said she felt “in danger” and “like I was in an oven” while playing in 40C heat at the Open in January.

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