The chairman of the Australian Tennis Association says the forecast is good and that every effort is made to prevent the fires from affecting the tennis tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January 20. The qualification starts already next week.

- The nearest fires are 100 kilometers away. And we have provided extra resources to be able to analyze, monitor and logistically secure the execution of the tournament, ”says Tiley.

- There will be experts to analyze the air quality in Melbourne Park and we always work closely with medical staff and other local experts. The health and safety of players, staff and supporters is top priority.

The referees can stop the match

If the air quality is too poor due to fire smoke, referees can stop the matches, just as they do in extreme heat or rain. However, Melbourne Park has three large roofed arenas and there are eight other indoor courts, so there will be no major delays in the game schedule due to fire smoke.

It is Novak Djokovic, chairman of the ATP Players' Council, who has proposed to postpone the grand slam tournament unless conditions in the fire-ravaged country improve.

The Australian Open will donate the equivalent of SEK 650 for each serveess that is beaten in the tournament to the victims of the fires.