Closed roof for Australian Open final draws criticism
ByReuters
Updated 28/01/2018 at 10:22 GMT
The Australian Open men's singles final between champion Roger Federer and sixth seed Marin Cilic got underway on Sunday with the roof closed at Rod Laver Arena on a scorching day, triggering a hailstorm of criticism from former players.
Croatia's Marin Cilic serves against Switzerland's Roger Federer
Image credit: Getty Images
The roofs of the main showcourts at Melbourne Park are usually kept open unless the tournament's extreme heat policy is invoked, when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) and a key humidity threshold has been surpassed.
The temperature was 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 F) when Cilic and Federer took the court.
"With no dramatic reduction in the WBGT reading forecast (at 8.30pm forecast was 32.5) the referee exercised his discretion and called for the roof to be closed," organisers said in a statement.
"At no other time during the event this year has the WBGT reading reached the threshold."
Former players expressed disdain for the decision.
"I can’t believe they’ve closed the roof," British doubles player Jamie Murray, the brother of three-times grand slam champion Andy Murray, tweeted.
"Absolutely ridiculous that the roof is closed for the Australian Open. GS are outdoor events. Yes it’s hot but the court is under shade and an evening match," tweeted British former U.S. Open finalist Greg Rusedski.
During the first week of the grand slam, players battled through two days of 40 degrees Celsius heat fully exposed to the conditions, as organisers declined to invoke the heat policy.
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