Defending champion Jannik Sinner narrowly escaped a third-round exit as soaring Melbourne temperatures reached 40°C on Saturday. The world number one benefited from the tournament’s extreme heat policy, which allowed him to recover from severe cramping just as he trailed American world number 85 Eliot Spizzirri in a pivotal third set.
Officials eventually suspended play on outside courts and closed the retractable roof on Rod Laver Arena, providing Sinner with the environment needed to secure a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory.
The match reached a critical juncture at one set apiece when Sinner struggled to move, falling behind 3-1 in the third set. However, the tournament’s heat stress scale—a metric factoring in humidity, wind speed, air temperature, and radiant heat—reached its maximum level of five. This triggered an immediate halt to play, allowing the roof to close and the cooling systems to take effect. Sinner acknowledged the fortuitous timing of the rule, which disrupted Spizzirri’s momentum and allowed the Italian to reset physically.
While elite players like Jessica Pegula noted their familiarity with the harsh Australian climate, the day presented brutal conditions for both athletes and spectators. Tournament organizers deployed mist tunnels and sun umbrellas to protect almost 100,000 fans, while ball kids adopted specialized techniques to avoid burning their hands on the scorching court surface. Sinner’s win ensures his bid for a third consecutive title remains intact, though his physical struggle serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by the Melbourne summer.
Jannik Sinner reflected on the environmental intervention during his post-match comments: “I got lucky with the heat rule.”
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