NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
While large swaths of the United States faced ice and snow this weekend, tennis stars in Australia battled extreme heat.
The conditions took a notable toll on Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who tried to stretch despite apparent cramps and needed the help of an air conditioning tube during the third round of men’s singles at the Australian Open.
Temperatures of nearly 100 degrees in the third set seemed to trigger Sinner’s cramping problems. Sinner struggled to deliver a high-speed serve in the third set, with one attempt clocking in at just 69 mph. Sinner’s opponent, American Eliot Spizzirri, led 2-1 in the set.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Jannik Sinner of Italy in action against Eliot Spizzirri of the United States in the third round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. (Mike Frey/Image Images)
However, the two-time defending tournament champion was probably aware that a much-needed respite was on the horizon considering the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale. The scale takes into account multiple factors, including temperature, radiant heat (or the strength of the sun), humidity, and wind speed.
NAOMI OSAKA’S AUSTRALIAN OPEN CAREER ENDS IN REST WITH AN ABDOMINAL INJURY
When rules allowed, players were instructed to leave the court while the roof of Rod Laver Arena was closed. Despite Spizzirri’s visible frustration with the timing of the break, tournament rules required play to be suspended in tied matches when playoff thresholds were exceeded. After the layoff, Sinner returned and seemed revitalized.
Jannik Sinner of Italy talks to his team members in the third round of the men’s singles against Eliot Spizzirri of the United States during day seven of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Sinner won five of the next six games to take the set against Spizzirri. Sinner trailed early in the fourth set, but rallied to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory that highlighted a dramatic contrast of intense light and shadow.
“I had physical problems today. I was lucky with the heat rule,” Sinner said, agreeing that the cooler indoor conditions suited him much better than the grueling heat of the first two sets. “I try to stay calm even at a time like this. If he keeps playing like he was playing, maybe I’m slipping a little, maybe my tournament is over today. I don’t know.”
Jannik Sinner cools down with an air conditioning tube in the third round of the men’s singles during day seven of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Spizzirri was magnanimous about it, adding: “Those are the rules of the game and, you know, you have to live by them.”
Sinner will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the fourth round on Sunday.
