Melbourne was wrapped in dangerous fire smoke and the Australian Open looked threatened. But on Saturday, the memory of the week's fire smoke was like a whole eternity ago.

- Yes, now it is good, says Johanna Larsson to TT after his qualifying victory against Varvara Grasheva, where the spectators bathed in the sun and according to Larsson there were no problems to play.

-It was worse during the week and I didn't really understand why they were stressing the matches then. Especially when they went out and told the public to stay indoors. Then it feels strange to start such a big competition, ”she says.

Not worried

Rebecca Peterson, who is directly qualified for the tournament, has been training outdoors this week but was not noticeably disturbed by the smoke. She does not feel afraid that it will affect the tournament.

"The organizers are doing as best they can to make it as good as possible for the players and we always get information," she told TT on Saturday.

And the Swedes are supported by Roger Federer.

- I'm not worried. From what they said at the players' meeting yesterday (Friday) we have lower limit values ​​than they have at the Olympics. In this way, I think we are moving towards safe conditions. But we are not here for months either, says the former world leader at a press conference.

- I worry more about those affected by the fire. We can stay indoors all day and just go out and play and then go in again. It's not like we're stuck out there, says Federer, who as a big star has been criticized for not doing more to stop the game earlier this week.

"Understand the frustration"

- I think it falls a bit on the players in the main tournament, that they have to say also and it should not just be on the qualifiers - often it is the qualifiers who need this money and the points most, not the ones who are already in the main tournament and especially the highest ranked players, says Johanna Larsson.

A few hours earlier, Roger Federer had already resigned:

- I think we are all puzzled, is it very dangerous or totally safe to play? And besides, it is very hot. Not all players are used to playing when it's 35, 33 degrees. But can I go out on the court and ask everyone to stop playing? I can try, but I don't think it makes much sense. But we all care about each other. We meet in the changing rooms every day and I understand the frustration.

Here to play tennis

The danger is not over, though, the downgraded warnings. That it is directly unhealthy to play tennis - or exercise other activity - outdoors in one's moderate smoke, everyone agrees. But it can be too much smoke talking too.

Johanna Larsson wanted to talk about her win over Grasheva, and after a whole press conference with questions about everything around, it was up to Roger Federer to address the topic of tennis.

- Well, and that's the way I play Steve Johnson on Monday, for those who care. I don't know, but I thought that's why I was in Australia.