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While large swaths of the United States faced ice and snow this weekend, Australian tennis stars battled extreme heat.
The conditions took their toll on Italian Jannik Sinner, who attempted to stretch despite apparent cramps and needed help from an air conditioning tube during the third round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open.
Temperatures near 100 degrees in the third set seemed to trigger Sinner’s cramping issues. Sinner struggled to deliver a high-speed serve in the third set, with one attempt registering just 69 mph. Sinner’s opponent, American Eliot Spizzirri, led 2-1 in the set.
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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/Imagn Images)
However, the two-time reigning tournament champion was probably aware that a much-needed reprieve was on the horizon given the scale of heat stress of the Australian Open. The scale takes into account several factors, including temperature, radiant heat (or strength of the sun), humidity and wind speed.
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Where rules allowed, players were required to leave the field 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 heat thresholds are exceeded. After the stoppage, Sinner returned and looked revitalized.
Italian Jannik Sinner talks with his team members in the third round of the men’s singles against American Eliot Spizzirri on 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 showcased a dramatic contrast of intense light and shadow.
“I struggled physically today. I was lucky with the heat rule,” Sinner said, acknowledging that the cooler indoor conditions suited her much more than the energy-sapping heat of the first two sets. “I try to stay calm even in a moment like this. If he continues to play like he did, maybe I would lose a little, maybe my tournament was over today. I don’t know.”
Jannik Sinner cools down with an air conditioning tube during the third round of the men’s singles on 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: “It’s the rule of the game, and, you know, you have to live with it.”
Sinner will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the fourth round on Sunday.
