Australian Open games to be suspended if air is too polluted

The management of the Australian Open unveiled a system on Saturday measuring air pollution which will cause the suspension of the matches if a certain degree is reached, while Melbourne is affected by the fires which ravage the south-east 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.

Federer responds to criticism

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 has been 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 qualifying 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.

A player gives up in Melbourne because of the smoke from the fires via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/1vgwOT9cZu

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.

"We are called to go to the court, and there we see the mist and everything, it doesn't look good. Where are we with the threshold to know if we play or not? "He asked himself. 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 when it was bad, Tuesday, and the next day when it was still bad. I said to them: "Look, I really think that communication is essential for all of us, for everyone". More needs to be done because I feel like I haven't had enough information, ”said the 38-year-old icon.

Why don't the stars go to the front at the Australian Open? via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/arC50qzkFV

"Can I go to the court and say" Everyone stops playing "? I can try. I don't think it gets 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 this point of view, I think we are moving towards greater security. We're not here for six months in a row with more than 200, 300, you know. This is what may dangerously affect ”.

"A subject that we will have to discuss more in the future"

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 invited the players to come and see us when they want and to discuss it, "he added.

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• Australian Open
• Roger Federer
• Pollution
• Sport
• Tennis