Jannik Sinner narrowly survived a brutal test of endurance at the Australian Open, overcoming extreme heat at Melbourne Park to keep his title defense on track.
The Italian star faced a dramatic moment during his match at Rod Laver Arena, where soaring temperatures took a visible toll on his physical condition. Sinner dropped the opening set after suffering a cramp-induced breakdown, struggling to move freely as the mercury climbed and the heat intensified.
As the 24-year-old labored between points and appeared to limp under the scorching conditions, tournament officials intervened, ruling that play could not safely continue in the open-air setting. Under the Australian Open’s Extreme Heat Policy, authorities decided to close the stadium roof, triggering an eight-minute suspension of play.
The brief pause proved crucial. Sinner used the break to regroup in the players’ locker room, rehydrate, and regain his composure. Once conditions stabilized inside the closed-roof arena, the world-class shot-maker returned with renewed energy and focus.
Sinner mounted a strong comeback, winning the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, showcasing resilience and mental toughness in challenging circumstances.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Sinner admitted the heat pushed him to the limit. “I started to cramp a little bit in the third set, which then, after time, went slowly away,” he said, adding that experience has helped him understand his body better in extreme conditions.
“I got lucky today. When they closed the roof, it took some time, and I tried to loosen up a bit. It helped,” he added.
The temperature peaked at 38°C, just below the forecast high, prompting officials to delay matches on outside courts until 7:15pm AEDT. Sinner’s gritty performance under severe conditions ensured his Australian Open campaign remains alive, reinforcing his reputation as one of the tour’s toughest competitors.