With high temperatures forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday 27 January, the following changes have been made to the schedule.
Gates will open at 9.00am tomorrow. Matches on Margaret Court Arena commence at 11.00am and is open to Ground pass holders.
Rod Laver Arena matches will start at 11.30am, with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Iva Jovic, followed by Alexander Zverev up against Learner Tien.
ORDER OF PLAY: Australian Open 2026 Day 10
The AO Wheelchair Championships have been postponed for 24 hours and now commence on Wednesday.
Play on the outside courts and roof closures will follow the AO26 Extreme Heat Protocols.
The air-conditioned concourse at John Cain Arena will remain open.
We encourage everyone to prepare for a warm day by:
- Wearing hats and applying sunscreen
- Drinking water – there are many water refill stations around the precinct
- Allowing extra time for arrival
- Making use of shade, misting fans and other cooling areas onsite.
The health and safety of everyone onsite is the priority.
Special conditions will be in place for tournament staff. This includes the AO Ballkids, who will have reduced rotations, increased recovery times, and additional relief squads. The Ballkids lounge is fully air conditioned, with unlimited fruit, water and icy poles loaded with electrolytes available. There is a dedicated medical team onsite to ensure wellbeing, and the Ballkids are briefed on the importance of keeping hydrated and implementing cooling techniques.
Tennis Australia implemented the Heat Stress Scale in 2019 following extensive research and testing. Four climate factors - air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed - are measured from a variety of locations at Melbourne Park to determine the 1-5 HSS measure.
