Australian Open sets air pollution limit after bushfire smoke anger

With the season’s first grand slam Australian Open set to kick-off from Monday (January 20), the event’s organisers introduced a scaled air quality rating to determine when play can be suspended following stinging criticism after days of toxic smoke during the qualifiers and practice sessions.

The air quality in Melbourne was recorded to be among one of the worst on the planet on Tuesday (January 14) only marginally better Wednesday because of smoke from bushfires that have devastated huge swathes of the country.

It was recommended that people and their pets stay indoors, but qualifying for the opening Grand Slam of the year went ahead regardless.

Also read: Australian Open: Will the bushfires affect season’s first grand slam?

Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her match after a distressing coughing fit, while Britain’s Liam Broady claimed “multiple” players needed asthma medication.

Broady also was seething over what he considered a lack of clarity on the decision-making process about when to suspend play.

“The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago the more it boils my blood,” he said.

In the wake of the backlash, organisers on Saturday (January 18) unveiled a five-step “air quality rating” based on pollutants measured by monitoring stations throughout Melbourne Park.

Play will be suspended if the particulate matter rating (PM2.5) — the solid and liquid particles suspended in the air — hits 200, or five on the air quality scale.

Also read: Australian Open: Five men to watch in season’s first Grand Slam

Between 97 and 200 — a four rating — will trigger a discussion between medical staff and officials about whether play should continue with the match referee able to suspend a match if he sees fit.

The rules will apply to all outside courts and the Grand Slam’s three arenas with retractable roofs, where the play will be halted until the roof is closed.

Matches will continue until an even number of games in the set has been played, or at the end of a tiebreak, if applicable.

“I do think air quality for sport and for tennis is a conversation we’re going to have more of in the future, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley told reporters on Thursday in seeking to diffuse the backlash.

“Absolutely we understand the anger. We’ve invited the players to come in at any time and have a conversation,” he added.

The Australian Open gets underway amidst rain forecast. Air quality in Melbourne on Saturday was rated ‘moderate’, one step below ‘good’.

Also read: Comfortable Australian Open starts for Nadal, Williams

(With inputs from agencies)