The Australian Open has always been a test of endurance, skill, and sheer willpower, but perhaps there is no challenge greater than the searing heat of Australian summer. Did you know in 2014, nine players retired from their opening matches due to severely hot weather? That wasn’t even the worst temperature that Australia witnessed. The summer heat reached its peak in 2022 with temperatures soaring 50.7 °C (123.3 °F) !! The Australian Open has, therefore, taken some initiatives to beat the heat and these initiatives might as well be adopted by the other Grand Slams.

Starting in 2019, Australian Open organizers introduced the AO Heat Stress Scale, a ground-breaking initiative that provides a structured response to rising temperatures. At the core of this strategy lies hydration, for which they have now signed a multi-year partnership with Waterdrop. EssentiallySports recently conducted an Exclusive interview with an Australian Open representative to know more about their collaboration.

We asked them about the new Waterdrop initiatives that are in place to ensure hydration for the players. The Australian Open rep replied, “Ensuring the health and safety of the players, our workforce, and fans is our top priority. We have comprehensive protocols on how to manage all weather conditions to ensure both the health and wellbeing of everyone onsite, as well as providing fair and consistent playing conditions. A key priority is to ensure everyone – from the players, ball kids, tournament staff, and fans – are well hydrated and have easy access to water. The Waterdrop AO Player Bottles are designed to keep water chilled for up to 24 hours, which is great for everyone. The internal scale also provides a simple way for players to track their hydration, which is crucial for peak performance during demanding matches.”

Can this be implemented in other Grand Slams? Well, the AO rep is hopeful. “This partnership demonstrates that sustainable practices in sports are both achievable and impactful. We welcome the worldwide shift towards sustainability in tennis and other professional sports,” the rep said.

The Waterdrop bottle, designed exclusively for the Australian Open, comes in the iconic tennis court blue colour. It has a double-walled stainless steel body that keeps the water chilled in the harshest heat for up to 24 hours. It also has an internal scale, that is, a hydration tracker installed to promote more water intake.

Waterdrop’s main motto is “Drink More Water,” both in professional sports and day-to-day life. The Australian company has established itself in the tennis world. In 2023, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic became an investor and brand ambassador of the company. Several other tennis players like Elina Svitolina, Taylor Fritz, Andrey Rublev, Hubert Hurkacz, Sebastian Korda, and Cameron Norrie have also invested in the company.

The AO representative revealed that while this year they plan to focus on product experiences like sampling and personalization, their future plans could involve eco-awareness or workshops centered around sustainable hydration.

Waterdrop to enhance the fan experience at the Australian Open

The fan experience matters and Waterdrop will be looking to enhance it at the upcoming Australian Open. The fans will be able to buy official player water bottles and various other personalized bottles onsite. Waterdrop will also be offering product samplings to the fans, including samples of the latest Microdrink hydration cubes. There will also be meet-and-greet opportunities with their brand ambassadors.

Fans will get to be part of Waterdrop’s mission to promote eco-friendly habits. For instance, at AO 2024, players were provided with waterdrop bottles, which they were able to refill with filtered, high-quality Melbourne tap water from water stations on-court and in player areas. This resulted in a 99 percent reduction in single-use plastic in player areas while ensuring they remained hydrated throughout the tournament. These initiatives won’t just provide the necessary hydration but will encourage the fans and players to practice sustainability.

With Waterdrop on board, the Australian Open is tackling the heat with innovation. It’s not just about hydration—it’s also about being sustainable on and off the court. What do you think about this initiative?