Australian Open organisers are monitoring the deteriorating air quality in Melbourne and said matches could be suspended if conditions become hazardous amid the bushfire crisis. With qualifying for the season's first Grand Slam starting on Jan. 14, tournament director Craig Tiley said officials can halt play if smoke poses a danger to players' health. "Assessing the likelihood of smoke-induced interruptions is a bit like how we treat heat and rain," he told local media. There have so far been no smoke-related delays at the ATP Cup, which is taking place in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. The Australian Open main draw begins on January 20.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 07, 2020 01:41 UTC