Climate change serves up the heat at the Australian Open

Scorching summer heat isn't just testing tennis stars at the Australian Open – it's a warning sign for all Australians that climate change is fueling more extreme temperatures.

Climate change affects everyday Australians.

Blistering summer heat has become a defining challenge at the Australian Open (AO), where even the world's most elite tennis players struggle to conquer the invisible opponent.

The home of the AO, Melbourne, now averages 11 summer days above 35C, and that number is set to double by 2050.

We're seeing similarly hot conditions up here in Queensland, with the frequency of heatwaves on the rise.

In fact, by 2050 locations including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Noosa could experience around 36 heatwave days every year, with a single event lasting up to two weeks.

Heatwaves and extreme heat now claim more lives in Australia than any other natural hazard.

And climate change is causing the frequency and intensity of these extreme heat events to rise.

We function really well when our core temperature is around 37C.

However, intense exercise or exposure to high heat for a long period of time can cause the core temperature to rise above 40C, and that's when we put ourselves at risk of heatstroke.

Note that the temperature outside doesn't have to be 40C for that to happen, and with heatstroke comes headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, organ failure, and even death.

A look back in time

If we take a look at AO conditions over the past 15 years, we see players have faced some serious heat.

In 2009, ten days of the 14-day Open clocked over 30C, with tennis star Novak Djokovic retiring due to heat stress on day 12, under 45.1C.

Similarly intense conditions were experienced in 2014.

Nine players retired from their opening matches, while doubles champion Ivan Dogid withdrew on day four as the thermometer hit 41C, suffering severe full-body cramps.

Following more hot conditions in 2018, the AO introduced its new Extreme Heat Policy including a Heat Stress Scale.

Together, the policy and scale are used to determine whether conditions are safe enough for play with adaptation or if matches need to be suspended.

This policy saw games come to a halt during the 2023 AO as temperatures hit 36C.

What does 2025 have in store?

Well, we're on day five and we've already had four days over 25C, with temperatures forecast to push well into the 30C's early next week.

Top tips for keeping cool

Sport lies at the very heart of Australian culture, and we can all do our bit to stay safe and protect the future of the game.

1. Stay hydrated: Drink water regularly, even if you're not thirsty, avoid dehydrating drinks like caffeine and alcohol, and carry a water bottle to refill.

2. Slip, slop, slap: Wear loose-fitting long sleeves, regularly apply sunscreen, pop on a hat, seek shade wherever possible and slide on a cool pair of sunnies.

3. Time your activities: Opt for early morning or late afternoon activities and events when temperatures are cooler, and check out venue-specific policies for managing heat.

Most importantly, check in with children, the elderly and other vulnerable individuals to make sure they're feeling okay.

Want more information on how your climate is changing? Check out the last article in this series.

Amelia Pearson is the Operations Manager at the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub.

This column is part of a collaboration between Monash University and News Corp to deliver hyperlocal weather and climate information.