With the high temperatures in Melbourne this week, there has been a lot of interest in the Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy.
The policy is applied at the Referee's discretion and may be altered at any time. So basically it’s not really a hard and fast rule, just ‘the vibe’.
Conditions are measured by something called the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. This is when an official licks their finger and sticks it in the air to measure temperature, humidity, UV and wind.
An accountant then works out how much money the Open would lose if play stops and then tells the Referee that play should continue.
Different measures are enacted depending on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature rating.
I’ve converted them to Celsius to make it easier to follow for all you non-Wet Bulb Globe Temperature experts out there.
30 Degrees- Players instructed to consider discussing a hat with their stylist.
35 Degrees- Australian Open executives instructed to turn up the air conditioning in their offices.
38 Degrees- Players ordered to stop complaining about the heat.
40 Degrees- All matches should be played faster to lessen the time in the heat.
41 Degrees- Players allowed water.
42 Degrees- Corporate guests asked if they’d like the roof to be closed.
43 Degrees- Play stopped on outside courts because who cares right?
44 Degrees- Rafael Nadal encouraged to play shirtless.
45 Degrees- Longer break at end of sets to allow Channel Seven to cook an egg on the court
46 Degrees- Play can be stopped if a player dies however this is not encouraged.
47 Degrees- Play stopped due to concerns the Australian Open could be sued.
So there you are. You can see it’s been developed with the health and safety of players firmly in mind.
COMMENTS
Dinsdale
Jan 18, 2018
There's an easier test, call the Gdb scale: if the grunting from the players falls below 100db it must be too hot. Play is suspended until normal grunting levels can be achieved.
Lee
Jan 18, 2018
Too easy - move it to Sydney. The NSW Govt. has a spare $2B for this.
kwp
Jan 18, 2018
Titus, where are you? Someone has hacked your login and is posting stuff in your name!
Toe Rooj
Jan 18, 2018
If a player loses the final in straight sets and doesn't convert a half ton to a century during the series they can send in a lesser ranked countryman to face the ignamony of standing in front of their flag on a zero fist while the offending player has a nanny nap.
Roe Joot
Jan 18, 2018
"We'll have a bowl"
PBoRSM
Jan 19, 2018
The rain in Sydney would see the tournament sometime in early March. Not ideal timing for an event supposed to last two weeks.
Stick to dress up parades and fun runs.
PBoRSM
Jan 19, 2018
The rain in Sydney would see the tournament end sometime in early March. Not ideal timing for an event supposed to last two weeks.
Stick to dress up parades and fun runs.
Adam
Jan 20, 2018
2 billion, we have plenty more available and Melbourne need beware that the tennis, F1 and AFL gf are all for sale
Jdub
Jan 22, 2018
Your best work yet, Titus. My colleagues came to check on me because I was laughing so loud.