At the Australian Open, the players are not only battling each other but also Melbourne’s punishing heat. Jannik Sinner’s third-round match on Rod Laver Arena was temporarily halted after the heat stress scale hit Level 5, while Ben Shelton voiced concerns on the eve of his quarterfinal as temperatures soared to 44°C (112°F).
Now, Amanda Anisimova has echoed similar worries ahead of her own quarterfinal clash, highlighting the growing challenge posed by the extreme conditions.
After Ben Shelton, Amanda Anisimova Expresses Concerns Over Sweltering Melbourne Conditions Ahead of Australian Open QF
Anisimova entered the Australian Open as one of the favorites, considering how her previous season went. In fact, she has justified the pre-tournament buzz with a flawless run to the quarterfinals, during which she has yet to lose a set.
The American opened her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Simona Waltert, followed by another commanding win against Kateřina Siniaková, before dispatching compatriot Peyton Stearns in the third round.
She faced a bit of resistance against China’s Wang Xinyu, but eventually secured a 7-6(4), 6-4 win to reach the last eight in Melbourne. Although she remains focused on her upcoming contest against Jessica Pegula, the sweltering conditions in the Australian city are just adding to the challenges of her campaign.
The sweltering conditions have persisted since the opening week in Melbourne, affecting both players and spectators alike. Tournament officials confirmed that temperatures repeatedly approached 40°C (104°F), pushing the Heat Stress Scale to its highest level and forcing frequent adjustments, including roof closures, most notably during Jannik Sinner’s third-round match. Moreover, American men’s standout Shelton also expressed similar concerns online.
READ MORE: Amanda Anisimova Addresses Her, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys’ Florida Ties After Fighting Unreal Heat at Australian Open
Anisimova later echoed those concerns, sharing her reaction on Instagram. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up shared a selfie with an ice pack on her head, alongside screenshots showing Melbourne’s temperature soaring to 105°F and the Heat Stress Scale hitting Level 5, which often leads to the suspension of play. Check out her Instagram story below.
Anisimova’s momentum gathered pace as the 2025 season unfolded. The American reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open, captured WTA 1000 titles in Qatar and Beijing, and carried that surge into 2026, where she climbed to a career-high world No. 3.
Based on her recent form and ranking, Anisimova enters the quarterfinal as the favorite against compatriot Jessica Pegula. However, the head-to-head tells a different story. Pegula has dominated their rivalry so far, holding a 3–0 head-to-head advantage, including a three-set victory at the 2024 Canadian Open, where she prevailed 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.