No tennis match ever feels complete without the tireless work of the ball kids, who keep play moving from the first point to the last. As Roger Federer once put it, ball kids are “really important to us because they are also maybe the future of our game.” But with the 2026 Australian Open kicking off, the heat may have taken its toll on those on the court!

Day one of the Australian Open qualifiers in Melbourne brought a sudden scare during Moez Echargui’s match against fellow qualifier Luca Van Assche. In the midst of a brief break, the camera focused on Echargui as he wiped his face with a towel and prepared to serve. A ball kid suddenly lost balance and stumbled before collapsing near the baseline.

The 22 seed, Echargui, reacted in an instant as he sprinted over to help as an official rushed onto the court. The young ball kid was back on their feet moments later, reassured by both the player and staff. The quick response eased the tension that had gripped the crowd for those few worrying seconds.

After the short pause, the ball kid was escorted away for care, and play soon resumed between Echargui and Van Assche. Temperatures at Melbourne Park had reached a high of 21.9°C on Monday afternoon.

Although Echargui fought hard and played with plenty of heart, his French opponent proved too steady on the day. Despite some admirable shot-making, the Tunisian couldn’t find the breakthrough and bowed out in straight sets. It was a spirited effort that didn’t get the reward it deserved.

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The 21-year-old won both sets 6-4, advancing him to the second qualifying round, where he’s set to face Estonian Daniil Glinka tomorrow. With the qualifiers continuing through the week, the action around Melbourne Park is already building momentum ahead of the main draw.

The Australian Open main draw is due to get underway next Sunday, while qualifying matches run throughout this week. The weather in Melbourne will persist with high temperatures, but thankfully, the tournament is one of the few that has an Extreme Heat Policy that comes into play at times like this.

What is the Australian Open’s Heat Policy?

The Australian summer doesn’t spare anyone. With temperatures often soaring between 34°C and 40°C, the heat can feel brutal for players fighting through long matches. But the Happy Slam introduced a new policy to help with that!

Things got serious in 2019 when officials rolled out the Extreme Heat Policy based on detailed medical research. That’s when the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale came to life, a sharp tool that measures air temperature, sun strength, humidity, and wind speed across Melbourne Park. It helps determine when conditions shift from demanding to downright dangerous, keeping competition intense but safe.

When that scale hits a four during early sets, the rules change to give athletes a well-earned breather. Women, juniors, and wheelchair players get extra cool-down time before their final sets, while men receive a 10-minute break after the third set. Those short breaks can become game-changers in the scorching afternoon heat.

Not every tournament has such a setup, though that’s starting to change. The ATP Tour is adding a new rule in 2026 for men’s singles matches, allowing 10-minute breaks in best-of-three-set contests whenever conditions turn extreme. It’s a move inspired by the women’s circuit, which introduced similar protections more than thirty years ago.

Whether it’s tennis players or ball kids, everyone will be feeling the difference once the Australian Open main draw kicks off on January 18. The question is: Will these changes really cool things down when the pressure heats up? Share your take in the comments!