Carlos Alcaraz continues his soaring Australian Open run, chasing history as the youngest career Grand Slam champion while battling Novak Djokovic in the final. Yet amid the spectacle, tension flares when the Spaniard openly questions the decision to close Rod Laver Arena’s roof, made without informing the players, adding intrigue to a dramatic showdown.

After winning the second set 6-2 to level the match 1-1, Carlos Alcaraz looked visibly frustrated. He approached the chair umpire, John Blom, an Australian, to discuss the closing of the Rod Laver Arena roof.

“Why it’s closing? The player doesn’t know that, you know what I mean?” Carlos Alcaraz said, with courtside microphones failing to pick up Blom’s response.

“These are the intangibles that happen in massive matches,” Mark Petchey said in commentary. “He is now saying that roof has gotten considerably closer together, and he wants to know why.”

The second coldest day of the tournament dropped temperatures in Melbourne to just 60.8°F. High winds made it feel like around 50°F when Novak Djokovic served his first ball against Alcaraz.

A breeze and occasional drizzle during the afternoon sparked debate over whether organisers and the chair umpire would keep the roof open. They kept it mostly open to maintain the outdoor status of the event.

Tournament referee Wayne McEwen came on court to speak with Alcaraz. Tournament director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley was also nearby, seen on the phone. Djokovic was off the court on a toilet break at the time.

As the third set began, rain started falling through the small gap in the roof.

“The tournament have been absolutely wise in their decision to let the roof get to that stage,” Petchey said. 

He noted that it would allow the match to resume faster after a stoppage to close the roof entirely. Play continued without issue as the high winds pushed the rain clouds away from Rod Laver Arena.

The roof had been a major talking point even before the match started. 

“There’s something still to play out here, that’s for sure. The radar says there’s no rain for at least 90 minutes or so but whether the roof closes is up to the referees,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.

John McEnroe added his opinion, saying he would like to see the roof closed. “Only because I think the level of play will go up, because these winds are howling pretty good,” he said. 

And this is not the first time Alcaraz has shared his thoughts about the Australian Open roof being closed this year.

Carlos Alcaraz shares views on the closed roof at the Australian Open

Even before today, Carlos Alcaraz was asked about possibly playing under a closed roof. This came ahead of his quarterfinal match against Alex de Minaur due to soaring temperatures in Melbourne.

The Spaniard responded calmly and with perspective. He said, “Well, you’ve got to get used to everything. I have to control the things that I can control.”

He continued by accepting any conditions that might come. “You know, if it is going to be really, really hot on Tuesday and the roof is going to be closed, I’ve got to accept that and just try to play my best tennis indoors.”

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Alcaraz later explained his mental approach in more detail. He said, “So whatever it is, I just will be ready. I will be focused. I will try not to think about it.”

He added that outside factors should not affect his level. “I will try not to affect my game at all, and I think that’s it. So that’s going to be my mindset.”

However, the situation played out differently earlier in the AO with Jannik Sinner. The Australian Open’s extreme heat policy came into effect during his match.

Sinner left the court during his clash with Eliot Spizzirri because of the heat. As a result, the roof at Rod Laver Arena had to be closed.

Former Serena Williams coach Rick Macci weighed in on the situation. He wrote on X, “Was asked about the heat rule to close the roof and help Sinner survive cramps and win the match. He 100% got help from above!”

Now, as the issue has resurfaced during the final, play continues. Carlos Alcaraz remains focused as he chases a career Grand Slam before turning 23.