We will go indoors if we have to
AUSTRALIAN OPEN organisers have insisted the first Grand Slam of the season will go ahead on Monday – even if it has to be played indoors.
The hazardous smoke haze from bushfires caused qualifying to be delayed and cancelled earlier this week – and whipped up a storm of player criticism.
Melbourne residents were urged to stay indoors earlier this week when Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic retired from her match with Camila Giorgi after a coughing fit.
A southerly wind brought cooler air and temperatures into the Victorian capital yesterday and Britain’s Harriet Dart won through to the third round with a
6-2 6-3 win over American Nicole Gibbs.
There are three indoor courts on Melbourne Park to stage matches if the weather and atmosphere gets worse and exceeds safety limits.
And bullish Aussie Open director Craig Tiley said: “There is a lot of speculation about the Australian Open not happening or starting later. The Australian Open is happening.
“We do have three environments in which we can compete in. If we had to work it out and play indoors we would – and we don’t expect that.”
Meanwhile, Russian Daniil Medvedev is the most likely player to break the Grand Slam stranglehold of the “big three” in the men’s game, according to John Mcenroe.
The 23-year-old’s quirky style propelled him to four titles and a Tour-leading 59 match wins in 2019.
And Mcenroe said: “He’s thrown a curve ball at these top guys that they weren’t anticipating.”