Australian Open: if the air is too polluted, the matches will be suspended

While fires have ravaged the south-east of the country for several months, the management of the Australian Open revealed on Saturday a system measuring air pollution which will cause the suspension of the matches if a certain degree is reached.

The game will be suspended if the rate of fine solid and liquid particles in suspension in the air reaches 200, that is to say the fifth degree of this scale measuring the quality of the air. The fourth degree, between 97 and 200, will bring a debate between the medical service and the organizers on whether to continue playing. The referee may thus interrupt a match if he considers it advisable.

These rules will apply to all outdoor games and in retractable roof courts where a game, if suspended, cannot resume until after the roof is closed. A match cannot be interrupted before an even number of games has been played, or at the end of a tie-break if necessary.

Roger Federer worries

The first lifting of the 2020 Grand Slam begins on Monday, but the qualification matches have already started and have attracted much criticism, as well as some players' discontent.

Tuesday, it was the Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic who had to give up in the middle of the match after suffering from violent fits of cough on the court. Several players also needed inhalers to relieve their respiratory distress.

Roger Federer complained about the organization's lack of communication in recent days. "I think that communication is essential on the part of a tournament towards people, the media, the fans, the players, because we hear that it is dangerous to be outside, that animals must be left domestic inside, close the windows, "said the Swiss on Saturday at a press conference.

"Can I go to the court and say, 'Everyone stops playing?' I can try. I don't think it will make a difference ”/ Reuters

“We are called to go to the court and there we see the mist and everything does not look good. Where are we with the threshold to know if we play or not? "He asked himself.

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Some players who contested the qualifications wondered why the stars did not intervene more with the organizers. " What can I do? I can go into their office, talk to them. I went to see them the first day when it was bad, Tuesday, and the next day when it was still bad. I said to them: Listen, I really think that communication is essential for all of us, for everyone. More needs to be done because I feel like I haven't had enough information, ”said the 38-year-old legend.

"Can I go to the court and say: Everyone stops playing? I can try. I don't think it gets things done. Maybe I intervened a little too late. But I don't think I can do more than what I have already done, ”he added.

Air quality improves in Melbourne

Roger Federer praised the device measuring air quality: "According to what was said yesterday [Friday] in the players' council, the Olympic Games and other competitions have thresholds of fine particles at 300 Ours is 200. From this point of view, I think we are moving towards greater security. We're not here for six months in a row with more than 200, 300, you know. This is what may dangerously affect ”.

On Wednesday evening, thunderstorms cleared the noxious fumes and qualifying continued on Thursday without incident. Air quality in Melbourne on Saturday was considered "moderate" by the authorities, a level below "good". Rains are still expected for Monday on the capital of the State of Victoria.

"I think air quality for sport and tennis is something we will have to discuss more in the future," said Australian Open boss Craig Tiley on Thursday. “We fully understand the anger. We invited the players to come and see us when they want and to discuss it, "he added.