Melbourne (AFP)

Australian Open management on Saturday unveiled a system that measures air pollution that will halt matches if a certain level is reached, while Melbourne is hit by fires that ravage the southeast of the country .

The game will be suspended if the level of fine solid and liquid particles in the air (PM2.5) reaches 200, that is to say the fifth degree of this scale measuring air quality.

The fourth degree, between 97 and 200, will lead to a debate between the medical service and the organizers on whether to continue playing. The referee may interrupt a match if he considers it appropriate.

These rules will apply to all outdoor matches and in retractable roof courts, where a match, if suspended, cannot resume until after the roof is closed.

A match may not be interrupted before an even number of games have been played, or at the end of a tie-break if necessary.

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.

On Tuesday, Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic had to give up in the middle of the match after suffering from a violent coughing attack on the court. And many players have 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 workers inside, close the windows, "said the Swiss on Saturday at a press conference.

- "I went to see them ..."

"We are called to go on the court, and there we see the mist and everything, it does not look good. Where are we with the threshold to know if we play or not?" he questioned.

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 it was bad, Tuesday, and the next day when it was always bad. I said to them: "Look, I really think that communication is essential for all of us, for everyone. + We need to do more because I feel that I did not have enough information", said the 38-year-old icon.

"Can I go on the court and say + Everyone stops playing +? I can try. I don't think it will get things done. Maybe I intervened a little too late. But I don't think I can do more than what I have already done, "said Federer.

He praised the device measuring air quality: "According to what was said yesterday (Friday) in the players' council, the Olympic Games and other competitions have fine particle thresholds at 300. Ours is 200. From that point of view, I think we are moving towards more security. We are not here for six months in a row with more than 200, 300, you know. -being dangerously affected ".

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

"I think air quality for sport and tennis is something we will have to discuss more in the future," Australian Open boss Craig Tiley told reporters on Thursday.

"We fully understand the anger. We have invited the players to come and see us when they want and to discuss it," he added.

© 2020 AFP