Melbourne Park venues must be designed to cope with Australian Open heat

January 18, 2018

A health and safety expert has urged Australian Open organisers to modify the tennis tournament’s facilities to protect players and spectators from Melbourne’s high temperatures.

Facing the high temperatures of the Victorian summer, temperatures during today’s matches reached as high as 39 degree, with an even hotter day predicted for tomorrow (Friday 19th January).

Players visibly struggled during today’s matches, with France’s Gael Monfils appearing to give up during some rallies due to the stifling temperatures. Monfils won the first set of his second-round match against Novak Djokovic but eventually lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to the six-time Australian Open champion.

Melbourne newspaper The Age noted that today’s attendance was 38,072, which represented a decrease of 10,000 on the two previous day-time gates.

Speaking to The Age, Dr Liz Hanna said that steps must be taken to ensure the safety of athletes and fans alike.

Dr Hanna, President of the Climate and Heath Alliance, advised “if the organisers of the Australian Open insist that it stay in January, then (they must) modify those facilities to keep spectators safe, because otherwise people won’t go, or hopefully people will be sensible enough to realise that it will be very risky for their health if they do go.”

When the temperature exceeds 40 degrees and the wet bulb globe temperature surpasses 32.5 degrees, an extreme heat policy comes into effect and outdoor matches are not played.

Matches on indoor courts are halted before resuming with the roof closed.

9th January 2018 - MELBOURNE AND OLYMPIC PARK TRUST EMPHASISES HISENSE ARENA SAFETY DESPITE COMBUSTIBLE CLADDING

8th January 2018 - REVAMPED MELBOURNE PARK READY FOR 2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

7th December 2017 - HISENSE ARENA TO HOST AUSTRALIAN OPEN AND NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE COMPETITION ON THE SAME DAY

10th November 2017 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN NAMED BEST INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT AT 2017 SPIA ASIA AWARDS

31st May 2017 - CALLS FOR RENAMING OF MARGARET COURT ARENA AFTER GRAND SLAM WINNER’S COMMENTS ON GAYS

23rd April 2017 - STAGE THREE MELBOURNE PARK REDEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE NEW 5000-SEAT TENNIS ARENA

30th January 2017 - 2017 AUSTRALIAN OPEN BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORDS

2nd December 2015 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN ORGANISERS CONFIDENT OF ABILITY TO COPE WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES

1st February 2015 - REPORT SUGGESTS ELITE AND GRASSROOTS SPORT AT RISK FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

6th January 2015 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN IS NOW A ‘WEATHERPROOF’ EVENT

4th December 2014 - TENNIS AUSTRALIA ALTERS AUSTRALIAN OPEN EXTREME HEAT POLICY

16th January 2014 - HEAT POLICY IN EFFECT AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.