The Australian Open is once again battling an opponent bigger than any player on the draw sheet: extreme heat. With temperatures soaring past dangerous levels, tournament organizers have stepped in with urgent changes to protect players as Melbourne’s summer turns courts into furnaces.

Big schedule news from the Australian Open: Saturday’s day session will now start earlier at 10:30 am due to the extreme heat. Additionally, Margaret Court Arena (MCA) is set to host three day-session matches, meaning only three singles matches will take place on courts without a retractable roof, allowing organizers to respond quickly if conditions worsen.

The decision impacts top stars like Novak Djokovic and Jessica Pegula, who could benefit from roof-protected venues if temperatures spike. Tennis Australia’s move reflects growing concerns that heatwaves – now more frequent, longer, and more intense – are reshaping the tournament’s physical and logistical demands.

Recent editions have already highlighted the dance. Remember what happened last year? The two-time champion Jannik Sinner suffered a scary moment during his R16 clash with Holger Rune on Rod Laver Arena, showing visible signs of distress that required medical checks. “It was very, very tough. I didn’t feel well at all; I was dizzy. Leaving the court and putting cold water on my head helped a lot,” Sinner said after the match.

With faintings, retirements, and health scares becoming common, Tennis Australia continues to adjust its heat policy – but the climate challenge grows tougher each year. As Melbourne braces for more brutal conditions, the Australian Open is no longer just a tennis battleground – it’s a survival test. Let’s take a look at some of the incidents that took place this year at the Australian Open.

Ball kids are struggling to cope with the heat at the Australian Open

As extreme temperatures push players to their physical limits at the AO, it’s not just the stars feeling the strain. Ball kid – often overlooked in the heat debate – are now emerging as silent victims of Melbourne’s brutal summer conditions. There have already been several mid-match walkovers at the 2026 Australian Open due to several factors, including cramps. But coming to the struggles of the ball boys and ball girls…

A concerning incident unfolded during Ekaterina Alexandrova’s opening-round clash with Zeynep Sonmez at the 1573 Arena. As Alexandrova served for the second set, a ball girl stationed near the umpire’s chair suddenly collapsed onto her back under the blazing sun. Though she attempted to stand quickly, it was evident that the intense heat had taken a toll.

Sonmez reacted instantly, sprinting across the court to assist the ball girl and staying with her until medical staff arrived. Alexandrova also stepped in, bringing ice packs from the courtside fridge to help cool her down. Officials placed the ball girl in the shade, where she received treatment before being helped off the court. Play resumed after a few minutes’ delay once she was declared stable. Tennis Australia later confirmed that she was treated on-site and sent home as a precaution.

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Temperatures at Melbourne Park reached 82.4°F on Sunday, with forecasts predicting highs of 95°F by Saturday, January 24. But this wasn’t the only incident. Earlier on, during the Australian Open qualifying, another ball kid collapsed in a match between Moez Echargui and Luca Van Assche.

But with the recent measures, this should now be a bit like a sigh of relief for all the players who will be seen in action on Saturday. Talking about the schedule, on the men’s side, Jannik Sinner will be seen in action against America’s Eliot Spizziri at the Rod Laver Arena, while later Novak Djokovic will play against Botic van de Zandschulp.

On the women’s side, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula will be seen in action tomorrow at the Rod Laver Arena and Magaret Court Arena respectively. So, these are some of the blockbuster clashes lined up for Saturday. Are you ready for yet another action-packed weekend?