Australian Open 2026: Heat policy invoked as Sabalenka sizzles in quarter-finals

MELBOURNE Park baked under its fiercest heat of the tournament on Tuesday, with temperatures climbing past 40°C and organisers forced to invoke the Australian Open’s extreme heat policy. 

As conditions became increasingly oppressive, the weather shaped the day’s schedule — but it did little to cool the intensity of the tennis on court.

The tournament’s Heat Stress Scale reached the maximum threshold of 5.0 early in the afternoon, triggering the suspension of play on outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main showcourts. The scale factors in air temperature, radiant heat, wind speed and humidity to assess playing conditions.

Extreme heat shapes the day

The threshold was reached shortly after world number one Aryna Sabalenka completed her quarter-final victory over American teenager Iva Jovic, with the roof on Rod Laver Arena closing as the players left the court.

“At the end of the match, it was really hot out there,” Sabalenka told reporters. “I'm glad they closed the roof almost halfway so we had a lot of shade in the back, so we could go back and stay in the shade.

“I knew going into this match that they won't let us play on crazy heat. If it (the scale) would reach the five, they would definitely close the roof, so I knew that they were protecting us, our health.

“Anyway, when we finished it was 4.4, so it was quite hot. It's okay, I'm happy that I managed.”

With outer courts shut down, the quarter-final between third seed Alexander Zverev and 25th seed Learner Tien was played under the roof at Rod Laver Arena, while a mixed doubles quarter-final continued at Margaret Court Arena. Practice on the outer courts was suspended.

Crowds were thinner than usual across the venue, with shorter queues at entry points and largely empty concourses, even as the tournament continues to attract record attendance overall. 

Matches in the Wheelchair Championships were postponed by 24 hours, while organisers advised fans to stay hydrated, wear hats and make use of misting fans. Special conditions were also introduced for tournament staff and ball kids.

Sabalenka turns up the heat

On court, Sabalenka produced another commanding display to defeat 18-year-old Jovic 6-3 6-0 and remain on course for a third Australian Open title in four years.

“These teenagers have been testing me in the last couple of rounds,” Sabalenka said. “Don't look at score, it wasn't easy at all. She played incredible tennis, pushed me to one step better level. It was a tough battle.”

The top seed made a fast start before Jovic settled into the contest, but Sabalenka eventually pulled clear, tightening her grip in the second set to move into the semi-finals. She will next face either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina for a place in Saturday’s final.

A potential Wednesday scorcher awaits

Attention now turns to Wednesday, when defending champion Jannik Sinner faces another stern test in the quarter-finals against Ben Shelton. The American eighth seed has lost his last eight meetings with Sinner but believes his game has evolved since their last encounter.

“I think my return game has improved a lot,” Shelton said. “And now I'm getting to a point in the match where I feel like I'm (in) lockdown mode, and I can't miss one. I think that that is a piece that really helps me, because you got to play offensive tennis to beat the best guys.”

Shelton also highlighted improvements in his net play and forehand as he prepares for his 10th meeting with the Italian second seed, with the Melbourne heat expected to remain a factor as the tournament builds toward its final stages.