The Australian Open has implemented comprehensive schedule adjustments for Tuesday, Jan. 27, as tournament officials respond to severe weather forecasts for Melbourne Park. Organizers announced the modifications on late Monday, marking the second significant heat-related scheduling change during the 2026 tournament.
Australian Open Forced to Change Schedule for Tuesday, Jan. 27
The brutal Melbourne conditions have pushed players to their limits throughout the tournament, with defending champion Jannik Sinner experiencing a dramatic collapse during his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri. Sinner began suffering severe cramps in both legs and arms in the third set, with his serve velocity dropping significantly.
The Heat Stress Scale reached its maximum level of 5.0 just as Spizzirri took a 3-1 lead, forcing officials to suspend play and close the roof on Rod Laver Arena, offering Sinner a second life. Other competitors have faced similar struggles, with several players requiring medical attention and the wheelchair championships already postponed by 24 hours due to the extreme conditions.
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In anticipation of temperatures exceeding 40° Celsius on Tuesday, Australian Open officials released revised scheduling details through an Instagram post. Gates will now open at 9:00 AM, with junior matches commencing on the outside courts. Margaret Court Arena will host its first match at 11:00 AM and remain accessible to ground pass holders throughout the day.
The main showcourt, Rod Laver Arena, will begin play at 11:30 AM with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka facing 18-year-old American sensation Iva Jović, followed by Alexander Zverev taking on American Learner Tien. The AO Wheelchair Championships have been postponed until Wednesday, while all outside court play and roof closures will follow the AO26 Extreme Heat Protocols.
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The air-conditioned concourse at John Cain Arena will remain open for spectator relief, and officials are advising all attendees to wear hats, apply sunscreen, drink plenty of water from the numerous refill stations, allow extra arrival time, and utilize shade, misting fans, and other cooling areas throughout the precinct.
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The revised schedule sets up a compelling day of tennis with four quarterfinal matches taking place on Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka’s encounter with Jović pits the Belarusian against the youngest player to reach the Australian Open women’s quarterfinals without dropping a set since Venus Williams in 1998.
Zverev’s clash with Tien features the 2025 finalist against the 20-year-old who dominated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets during the fourth round, marking his first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
The night session opens with Coco Gauff facing Elina Svitolina, with Gauff leading with a 2-1 record in their previous meetings, having just defeated KarolÃna Muchová in a three-set battle. The final match of the day brings world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz against Australian Alex de Minaur, with the local crowd backing their hero against the Spaniard, who wants to become the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam.
