Australian Jordan Thompson was left fuming after the warmth coverage was invoked on a scorching day at Melbourne Park.
Thompson misplaced the primary set to American JJ Wolf, however was main 3-1 within the second earlier than them Australian Open match was suspended because of the excessive circumstances.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jordan Thompson fumes as warmth coverage suspends play.
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With the temperature hitting 35 levels and the event’s Warmth Stress Scale reaching its highest level (Degree 5), play was suspended on all exterior courts.
There was initially confusion when the chair umpire informed the 2 gamers that they must go away the court docket.
“When did that ever occur?” I have been right here when it is like 45 levels,” Thompson stated to the umpire.
“When can we come again?” Wolf requested.
Play will solely be capable to resume on the surface courts as soon as the Warmth Stress Scale returns to Degree four or beneath.
And when the umpire defined that to the gamers, a pissed off Thompson stated “that is not going to be for hours.”
Wolf was heard saying “too sizzling” earlier than shrugging his shoulders as he left the court docket.
Match organizers might be left scrambling to slot in all the primary spherical matches with temperatures anticipated to stay excessive for the rest of the afternoon.
The Australian Open launched the brand new Warmth Stress Scale in 2019 with Degree 5 the very best ranking and forcing all play to be suspended after a tie-break or a good variety of video games in a set.
Matches on Rod Laver Area, Margaret Courtroom Area and John Cain Area had been all in a position to proceed with roofs closed.
Earlier this month, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley hit out at critics calling for the event to be rescheduled when temperatures weren’t at their peak.
“I did learn that, I believed it was completely ridiculous – a weird declare,” Tiley stated final week.
“You speak to each participant, that is the season. It begins in January. It begins right here in Australia.
“However Australia is the summer season, Australia is January and this occasion is, from the gamers’ perspective, one in all their favourite locations to play.
“They’re coming right here earlier, we’re now seeing gamers right here for six weeks, for seven weeks and the preparation for the Australian summer season could be very normalised – they know what they should do.”
