Under Heat and Hard Courts: Why Athlete Wellbeing is Key to a Sustainable Australian Open for All

Feature Article

By Dora Kelaiditis* and Associate Professor Betul Sekendiz

* Corresponding author, ICMS Lecturer

Introduction

Imagine a global celebration of sports where the world gathers in one city, united by the thrill of elite competition and vibrant cultural exchange. In the Southern Hemisphere, that is the Australian Open.

Held every January at Melbourne’s Rod Lever Arena, this event marks the beginning of the international tennis calendar. As the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open sets the tone for the entire season, drawing top-ranked players eager to make a strong start. For tennis fans worldwide, it is an arena where legendary talents set the stage for a season of drama and excellence. As spectators immerse themselves in Melbourne’s cultural scene, the tournament not only boosts the local economy, but reinforces Australia’s global sporting prestige [1], [2] .

But it is not always sunshine and aces. Players, experts and spectators, have recently raised concerns about the tournament’s format and timing, noting the gruelling schedule and inconvenient match timings to be problematic [3]. Late matches especially frustrate spectators in different time zones, while tight scheduling affects player wellbeing and performance, with issues like heat exhaustion and inadequate recovery becoming focal points [4],[5], [6]. Amid global economic volatility and political uncertainties, it is crucial for the Australian Open to adequately address these challenges to continue attracting world-class players, engaging fans, and fostering sustainable economic growth for the nation.

Player Welfare Concerns

The Australian Open provides a platform that both showcases athlete talent and entertains fans, while uniting them across cultures and geographical locations. It also allows athletes to experience career advances and firsts, like Madison Keyes the 2025 Women’s Champion and when World Number 7, Novak Djokovic became the most successful male competitor at Rod Laver Arena in 2023 when he won his 10^th Australian Open Title. These achievements spark wider interest in the sport, enhancing the tournament’s prestige while drawing attention to the conditions under which athletes perform.

Despite being a non-contact sport, elite tennis places immense physical and psychological demands on competitors [7]. Long rallies, high-intensity sprints, and sustained concentration can lead to both muscular fatigue and mental strain, particularly under extreme heat [8],[9]. Ensuring athlete welfare is therefore essential, as optimal recovery, hydration, and scheduling directly impact performance and reduce the risk of injury or heat-related illness. At the 2025 Australian Open, these challenges were highlighted when Tennis Australia faced criticism from athletes and fans regarding match scheduling and format, prompting calls for reforms to better protect players while maintaining a high-quality viewing experience.

Extreme Weather Events

In 2025, concerns about athlete welfare escalated on Day 8 of the Australian Open, when all four women’s fourth-round matches—featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Paula Badosa, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova—were held during day sessions simultaneously in the hottest weather of the tournament that reached temperatures above 34 Celsius degrees ³.

Melbourne`s weather is notoriously unpredictable, and January, being the peak of summer, has seen increasingly extreme heat events over the past two decades. In 2014, it broke a record when most of the Australian Open tournament had maximum temperatures above 40 Celsius degrees [10]. Climate experts warn that such extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, presenting a growing challenge for athlete safety and performance at outdoor sporting events [11].

Prolonged exposure to high temperature and humidity, combined with intense physical activity, poses significant health risks to athletes, including conditions such as heat cramps, exhaustion, heat stroke, and even fainting [12]. This is because the higher the humidity, the harder it becomes for the human body to release heat via evaporation of sweat through the skin. These risks are particularly concerning during high-intensity efforts in extreme heat conditions, emphasising the need for adherence to established guidelines.

Beginning with the 2003 Australian Open, Tennis Australia’s Extreme Weather Policy incorporated real-time assessments of heat stress risk using a metric called the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) [13].  This was a significant shift from earlier policies that relied solely on-air temperature. The WBGT metric was introduced to better account for the combined effects of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation on player safety. However, this approach had its limitations as the Australian Open relied on WBGT estimates provided by the Bureau of Meteorology from a nearby station, which did not necessarily reflect the actual conditions on the court.

The severe heatwave crisis during the 2014 Australian Open with multiple athletes withdrawing mid-match, a ball boy collapsing and water bottles melting in the sun, exposed serious flaws in the tournament’s heat management strategy. This prompted the development of a more robust and science-based system called the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale (AO HSS) [14]. This technology has replaced the WBGT in the Australian Open`s extreme heat policy since 2019, which combines various measures including, the strength of the sun (i.e. radiant heat), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity, and wind speed across five locations within the Australian Open precinct.

The AO HSS measurements are put into the tennis player algorithm and translated into a five-point scale aligned with appropriate heat management strategies that gets presented on a dashboard. When the AO HSS reaches four, male players can take a 10-minute break from the third set and female players between the second and third sets, which is a first time ever in a grand slam tennis tournament. If a five is recorded on the AO HSS, all new matches and those already in progress can be suspended after an even number of games in that set.  By implementing these measures, athletes can better mitigate their heat exposure and reduce the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.

Nevertheless, players can still find themselves on court during the hottest part of the day, regardless of their preferences or physiological tolerance. To counteract this problem, the Australian Open introduced the forecasting feature in 2025 that allows players to see predicted AO HSS levels for upcoming matches.  This helps them prepare in advance by adjusting hydration, cooling strategies, and mental readiness, so the heat doesn’t come as a surprise.  While the AO HSS provides a responsive framework for in-play decisions, it doesn’t yet extend to proactive scheduling adjustments, which leaves athletes vulnerable to heat stress simply because of when their match is timed.

Match Scheduling

Scheduling activities during cooler parts of the day is one of the most important elements of minimising the risk of heat stress during sporting activities [15].  However, scheduling activities shouldn’t only be limited to extreme weather considerations alone. For example, frequent or closely timed matches can significantly reduce the recovery window athletes need to restore physiological balance, regulate core temperature and maintain optimal metabolic function, especially in hot conditions^8,12. There have been repeated occurrences during the Australian Open where matches start later than scheduled and are played through to the early hours of the morning. Players with well-established recovery strategies might not see their beds before 7am, often sleeping for just up to 5 hours before needing to prepare for their next match⁴.

An example from the 2025 Australian Open is when Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis retired from doubles competition following a gruelling singles match in extreme heat 24hrs earlier⁶. This underscores the physiological and strategic challenges athletes face when competing in consecutive events under demanding conditions such as jam-packed schedules and gruelling heat further highlighting the diminishing impact on match play quality.

Finding the right balance in match scheduling is not only crucial for enhancing player performance and wellbeing, but also key to maintaining viewer satisfaction and fan engagement, both at stadiums and across global broadcasts. Late-night finishes and uneven recovery windows can compromise athlete health, while unpredictable scheduling may frustrate fans hoping to watch live and support their favourite players.

But beyond logistics and entertainment, scheduling carries deeper social implications. Prime-time slots are often dominated by men’s matches, leaving women’s games relegated to earlier, hotter and often less visible timeframes. By intentionally scheduling more women’s matches during high-visibility evening hours, major tournaments like the Australian Open have an opportunity to promote gender equality, elevate female athletes, and inspire broader interest in women’s sport. This shift not only demands a commitment to fairness but also aligns with growing public demand for more inclusive and representative programming in tennis.

Conclusion

The Australian Open has cemented Melbourne’s reputation as a world-class sporting hub, attracting elite athletes, major sponsors, and international attention across diverse broadcasting platforms, even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic [16]. In its seventh year of implementation, the AO HSS reflects a crucial milestone towards protecting the health and wellbeing of athletes through science-based, transparent and objective methods. While more data and research are needed to analyse the real impact of the policy in reducing heat-related illness at the tournament¹⁰,  there are measures that can be taken sooner than later to enhance the continued success of the Australian Open.

These include expanding the Australian Open’s Heat Stress Policy to incorporate more proactive scheduling adjustments, such as avoiding midday matches during forecasted heat spikes and ensuring adequate recovery time between games. Importantly, a  more gender-balanced approach to scheduling by allocating more prime-time evening slots to women`s matches, can promote equity, increase visibility and more interest in women`s sports. This not only supports the principles of fairness and inclusion for athlete wellbeing but also aligns with global efforts to close the gender gap in professional tennis.

As these enhancements take shape, Tennis Australia can ensure a more transparent and fairer Australian Open while delivering unforgettable experiences for fans worldwide, who play a vital role in the sustainability of the sports both on and off the stadiums.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Darren Coughlan, Discipline Lead Lecturer, Sports Management for their insights and contributions to the economic aspects covered in this article.

The authors declare no conflict of interest and do not have any financial disclosures.

To cite this article:
Kelaiditis, D., & Sekendiz, B. (2025, September 19). Under heat and hard courts: Why athlete wellbeing is key to a sustainable Australian Open for all. Scholarly Impact. International College of Management, Sydney. https://www.icms.edu.au/scholarly-impact/business-and-management/athlete-wellbeing-sustainable-australian-open/

References

[1] Pham, T. D., Dwyer, L., Su, J. J., & Ngo, T. (2021). COVID-19 impacts of inbound tourism on the Australian economy. Annals of Tourism Research, 88, 103179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103179

[2] Tennis Australia. (2025). Australian Open confirmed as biggest economic generator in Aussie sport | AO. https://ausopen.com/articles/news/australian-open-confirmed-biggest-economic-generator-aussie-sport

[3] Fox Sports. (2025, January 14). Race to get the women out of the way: Aus Open under fire as stars respond to schedule furore. Fox Sports. https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/australian-open/race-to-get-the-women-out-of-the-way-aus-open-under-fire-as-stars-respond-to-schedule-furore/news-story/44637496f7c4b5ae82baf9ad54f65f6b

[4] AP News. (2024, January 21). Medvedev can catch up on sleep after a contrasting 3rd-round win at the Australian Open. https://apnews.com/article/medvedev-late-australian-open-tennis-708e79d5b03b1d8f042e4b23f183cc88

[5] Smith, M. T., Reid, M., Kovalchik, S., Woods, T. O., & Duffield, R. (2018). Heat stress incident prevalence and tennis matchplay performance at the Australian Open. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(5), 467–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.08.019

[6] Trollope, M. (2025, January 21). Australian Open 2025: Jack Draper and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina break down and retire; John Millman comments. Nine.com.au. https://www.nine.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2025-jack-draper-alejandro-davidovich-fokina-break-down-retire-john-millman-comments-20250121-p5l6a8.html

[7] Lambrich, J., & Muehlbauer, T. (2025). Effects of fatigue on physiological, physical fitness, and stroke performance-related parameters in healthy tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1578914. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1578914

[8] Périard, J. D., Racinais, S., Knez, W. L., Herrera, C. P., Christian, R. J., & Girard, O. (2014a). Match-play tennis in hot and cool conditions: A case study of thermal stress and strain. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(Suppl 1), i64–i70. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-093152

[9] Périard, J. D., Racinais, S., Knez, W. L., Herrera, C. P., Christian, R. J., & Girard, O. (2014b). Coping with heat stress during match-play tennis: does an individualised hydration regimen enhance performance and recovery?. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(Suppl 1), i64–i70. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-093242

[10] Chwasta, M. (2025, January 19). The Australian Open revamped its heat policy seven years ago. How does it work? ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-19/australian-open-heat-policy/104794752

[11] Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub. (2025, January 16). Climate change serves up the heat at the Australian Open. Monash University. https://www.monash.edu/mcccrh/projects/changing-climates/digital-news/changing-climates-articles/climate-change-serves-up-the-heat-at-the-australian-open

[12] Smith, M. T., Reid, M., Kovalchik, S., Woods, T. O., & Duffield, R. (2018). Heat stress incident prevalence and tennis matchplay performance at the Australian Open. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(5), 467–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.08.019

[13] Tennis Australia. (2018a). Extreme Weather Policy. Tennis Australia. https://www.tennis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TA-Extreme-Weather-Policy-effective-13-Oct-2022.pdf

[14] Tennis Australia. (2018b, December 27). AO Heat Stress Scale a Grand Slam first. https://ausopen.com/articles/news/ao-heat-stress-scale-grand-slam-first

[15] Sports Medicine Australia. (2025). Hot Weather Guidelines. Sports Medicine Australia. https://sma.org.au/resources/policies-and-guidelines/hot-weather/

[16] Reade, J. J. (2024). Large sporting events and public health and safety. Research Handbook on Major Sporting Events. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://www.elgaronline.com/abstract/book/9781800885653/chapter41.xml