MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Play will begin an hour earlier than usual at the Australian Open on Saturday because of high temperatures expected later in the day at Melbourne Park.
Third-round matches on the main show courts will start at 10:30 a.m. local time, a half-hour after play begins on outside courts.
“The temperature is expected to climb to the low 30s (Celsius) by the middle of the day, and peak in the late afternoon,” the tournament said in a statement.
“Everyone coming to the AO should prepare for the heat and take advantage of the increased shade and cooling areas across the site.”
The temperature could hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) by late afternoon, according to the Australian government's weather service.
The tournament has used an extreme heat protocol since 2019, allowing for extra breaks for players and suspension of matches if a combination of air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed reach set thresholds.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain takes a drink during a break in his third round match against Corentin Moutet of France at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Daniil Medvedev of Russia cools himself down during his third round match against Fabian Marozsan of Hungary at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
A PWHL official said Wednesday that there have been constructive conversations in potentially teaming with the NHL's Ottawa Senators to secure its women's hockey franchise a long-term future in the Canadian capital.
The discussions center on the Ottawa Charge playing home games at the Senators' arena, the Canadian Tire Centre, PWHL senior VP of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. The Charge’s future is in Ottawa is uncertain beyond this season due to the city going ahead with renovations that will reduce the team’s current home’s capacity by about 2,000 seats.
“We’ve got a long ways to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed,” Scheer said during a video conference call.
She referred to Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder as being “a gem to work with.” Scheer and league officials also met with Senators owner Michael Andlauer while attending the women’s tournament at the Milan Cortina Games last month.
The PWHL has already established a partnership with the Senators, with the Charge scheduled to play Montreal at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 3.
“The game is selling really well, so hopefully that’s the first of a really positive road for us to skate down,” Scheer said.
Leeder looked forward to the Senators hosting the game, and further discussions with the PWHL.
“We can confirm we’ve had positive dialogue with the PWHL and the Ottawa Charge, which is consistent with our desire to grow the game for women, men and youth in our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” Leeder said in a statement the Senators released to the AP.
The Charge were one of the PWHL’s original six franchises, and have spent the first three seasons playing at the city’s centrally located TD Place, which is also home to the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s. The aging facility has a capacity of about 8,500 for hockey but the renovation will reduce seating to about 5,700, with an additional 900 standing-only spots.
The PWHL said the cuts make it financially unfeasible to stay at the arena. The Charge averaged about 7,000 fans per outing over the first two seasons, with that number jumping to 7,225 over the team’s first nine home games this year.
Scheer previously said the league was exploring all options, including the possibility of relocation. “We will not go backwards,” Scheer said in November.
The PWHL expanded to eight teams this season, with plans underway to add 2-4 teams for next season.
The Senators' home arena is located about a 40-minute drive outside of downtown. The team, however, is in the early planning stages of building a new home closer to downtown.
AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
Ottawa Charge's Kathryn Reilly, left, celebrates her teammate Alexa Vasko's goal during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Ottawa Charge's Fanuza Kadirova (centre) spins around as she celebrates her goal on Seattle Torrent goaltender Hannah Murphy (83) during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
