New Delhi, Jan. 24 -- In a rare incident, play at Australian Open 2026 was suspended for a brief time due to excessive heat on Saturday. With the temperatures rising to 36 degrees Celsius (96.8degF) at Melbourne Park, the organisers decided to close the roofs on the main showcourts after the Australian Open invoked its extreme heat policy.

The play was halted when defending champion Jannik Sinner was trailing against Eliot Spizzirri 6-4, 3-6, 3-1 on Rod Laver Arena. Thankfully for Sinner, the break came at the right time as he was seen cramping and struggling to move. Italian Lorenzo Musetti was leading Tomas Machac 2-0 in the fifth set at John Cain Arena when play was paused.

The matches resumed after eight minutes under closed roof. T...