Australian Open is forced to call off practice and postpone qualifying rounds as bushfire smoke blankets Melbourne
- Australian Open tennis organisers have been forced to suspend practice
- Start of the qualifying tournament was also postponed because of smoke
- Twenty-two Australians are taking part in qualifying, including Bernard Tomic
Australian Open tennis organisers have been forced to suspend practice and postpone the start of the qualifying tournament as heavy smoke from Victoria’s bushfires blankets Melbourne Park.
The new start time on the opening day of qualifying for next week’s grand slam event will be 11am, after practice was temporarily halted on Tuesday morning due to the poor air quality.
‘Conditions onsite are improving and are being constantly monitored,’ a Tennis Australia statement read.
The new start time on the opening day of qualifying for next week’s grand slam event will be 11am, after practice was temporarily halted on Tuesday morning due to the poor air quality
Australian Open tennis organisers have been forced to suspend practice and postpone the start of the qualifying tournament as heavy smoke from Victoria’s bushfires blankets Melbourne Park
‘Further decisions will be made using onsite data and in consultation with our medical team, the Bureau of Meterology and scientists from the EPA.
‘As always the health and safety of our players, our staff and our fans is our priority.’
Twenty-two Australians are taking part in qualifying, including former world No.17 Bernard Tomic.
Currently the world No.182, the fallen star will play American Denis Kudla later on Tuesday.
Tomic recorded just seven wins at ATP level in 2019 – none at the slams – and hasn’t played a tournament since a first-round loss to Dan Evans in Stockholm in October.
‘Conditions onsite are improving and are being constantly monitored,’ a Tennis Australia statement read