Is Australian Open 2020 in Danger of Being Canceled?

The thick blanket of bushfire haze has made the daily lives of Australians miserable. In Australia, the month of January is just dedicated to tennis. However, the ‘smoke rugged from the burning blazes’ has jeopardized the Australian Open 2020 from getting underway. The city where the season’s first Grand Slam takes place, Melbourne is under a major threat.

Air quality index in Melbourne is currently seven times worse than normal

Presently, the air quality in Melbourne, Victoria is hazardous. The conditions are simply detrimental to players’ health. “We know it’s a threat to life for some people,” Victoria’s chief health officer said. The air quality is at 138.8, which is almost seven times worse than their regular conditions.

The Australian Open 2020 qualifiers will be starting in a week’s time (January 13). The major tournament is scheduled to begin on January 20. With obnoxious playing conditions in Melbourne, the Australian major is expected to be delayed. The conditions might get better by the time the tournament starts, however, there is no such confirmation.

Despite the toxic playing conditions in Melbourne, the CEO of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley is optimistic about Australian Open 2020 taking place as per schedule. “We have committed substantial extra resources to analysis, monitoring, and logistics to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff, and fans throughout the summer and have no other plans to move events,” Tiley said.

World Number two Novak Djokovic speaks out

Seven-time Australian Open champion and the defending champion this year Novak Djokovic has dealt with respiratory problems early in his career. The Serb mentioned that rescheduling the Aussie major tournament will be an ideal move because of the extreme conditions.

As the president of the ATP players’ council, Djokovic is tracking the air pollution level in Melbourne. If the situations are not back to normal, he would definitely propose the postponement of the tournament.

Novak Djokovic Wants Australian Open 2020 to be Rescheduled

However, rescheduling a Grand Slam tournament is a mammoth task.

The rain might alleviate the toxicity in Melbourne

Victoria’s chief environmental scientist stated that rain might probably settle down the toxic environment of the city. “We’re not expecting (air classification of very poor to hazardous) to change until Wednesday. We might see some light relief tomorrow, but we might do almost nothing. Drenching rain would be terrific because it would knock it out. But the current amount is insufficient and there’s too much smoke,” Victoria’s chief environmental scientist mentioned.

Recently the toxic conditions in the Australian capital Canberra relocated its challenger event to Bendigo, Victoria. The CEO of Tennis ACT stated that the health of players, fans, volunteers, staff and stakeholders was their biggest priority. Hence the shifted the Canberra International tournament to another city. 

 During the years 1916-18 and 1941-45 the Australian Open was canceled due to World War I and World War II respectively.