Australian Open: ‘When has that ever happened?!’ – Jordan Thompson fumes as play is suspended due to extreme heat

Jordan Thompson was left incredibly frustrated after play was suddenly suspended due to extreme heat at the Australian Open when he was leading.

The established extreme heat policies at the famously-hot tournament came into effect on Tuesday with the matches on the outside courts swiftly suspended amid stifling conditions with players noticeably struggling to deal with it.

But the ruling did not impress Thompson one bit after the Australian had worked incredibly hard to find his rhythm and establish a lead with a break over his opponent, American J.J. Wolf, in the second set of their first-round match.

Wolf had claimed the opening set to give Thompson an uphill challenge, but he had carved his way back into the match and was looking good when the umpire delivered the news that play would be suspended due to the extreme heat.

“When has that ever happened?!” Thompson ranted at the umpire.

“I’ve been here when it has been like 45 degrees! It is not going to be for hours.”

As reported on the official Australian Open social platforms: “At 1:12pm [local time] the AO Heat Stress Scale reached 4 and the heat policy came into play. This means singles players can take a 10-minute break – women between the second and third set and men between the third and fourth set – of their matches.

“Players have the option of staying on court or using showers or cooling rooms. The AO Heat Stress Scale has reached 5 and play will be suspended on the outside courts. This means play continues until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tie break. No new matches will be called to court. Play on outdoor practice courts is also suspended.”

What is the AO Heat Stress Scale?

Starting with the 2019 Australian Open, the tournament organisers introduced the ‘AO Heat Stress Scale’ to provide clear guidelines to be followed when temperatures rise considerably.

• 1 – Temperate playing conditions
• 2 – Increase hydration
• 3 – Apply cooling strategies
• 4 – Extended breaks
• 5 – Suspension of play

“The Heat Stress Scale will be used to measure four climate factors – radiant heat (strength of the sun), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity and wind speed. These will be measured at five positions around the precinct, including on court in Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena. The scale starts at (1) for temperate playing conditions and escalates to (5) – suspension of play.

“Under the EHP, the Tournament Referee will allow a 10-minute break between the second and third sets in both women’s and junior singles matches and a 15-minute break in wheelchair singles matches when a four (4.0) is recorded on the AO HSS prior to or during the first two sets of the match.

“In the men’s singles, a 10-minute break will be allowed after the third set when a four (4.0) is recorded on the AO HSS prior to or during the first three sets of the match.

“If a five (5.0) is recorded on the AO HSS, the Tournament Referee can suspend the start of matches on outside courts and all matches in progress continuing until the end of an even number of games in that set or completion of the tie break before play will be suspended.

“Matches on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena will stop after an even number of games in that set or completion of the tie-break when the Tournament Referee can decide to close the roof for the remainder of the match and the following matches when the EHP is still in effect.”

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