First smog, now rain as conditions cause havoc on Day 1
MELBOURNE: Heavy rain caused chaos on day one of the Australian Open Monday, further disrupting the Grand Slam after a build-up hit by haze from raging bushfires.
Hazardous smog left several players with coughs and breathing difficulties during qualifying last week, prompting speculation about whether the year’s first tennis Major would be delayed. Air quality was rated as ‘good’ as the tournament started on schedule but play was suspended on outside courts about f our hours l ater as a downpour deluged Melbourne Park at about 3: 00 pm ( 0400 GMT).
World number three Federer was briefly hauled off court while the roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena, before returning to complete a routine 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over American Steve Johnson. Play also continued under the retractable roofs of Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena, but was impossible elsewhere as the heavy rain persisted.
More rain i s f orecast f or Tuesday, further threatening a tournament more often associated with extreme heat at the height of the Australian summer. Officials said play would resume on the outside courts once the rain stops, but at least 18 of the 64 scheduled matches were called off for the day.
Player anger over smog dominated the final days before the tournament, which is taking place after deadly bushfires ravaged large parts of Australia.
Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her qualifier after a coughing fit, while Britain’s Liam Broady claimed “multiple” players needed asthma medication.
Federer was one of the players who criticised a lack of communication from tournament officials, who were forced to suspend practice and delay some qualifying matches last week.
Tournament officials are closely monitoring pollution and will halt play and close the three main stadiums’ roofs if particulate matter suspended in the air hits PM2.5 200.