The Australian Open is one of my favorite sporting events in the world, mostly because I love live sports on television at 4AM. Tennis is also an enjoyable sport to watch, so it’s a win-win.

So I’ve been watching the Australian Open nightly for the last week and change, and envying the warm weather they are having this time of year. But after the last two days, I have come to the conclusion that the people in charge of the Aussie Open need some seriously help.

Temperatures have been up and down this week, with some days being mild and others being hot, but on multiple occasions, thermometers on the court have read over 115 degrees. Serena Williams advanced to the quarterfinals when her opponent, Victoria Azarenka was unable to continue in the second set. While there is no proof that the weather hurt her in this match, since she was sick in the morning, the weather there all week may have been a factor.

Second, defending champion Novak Djokovic retired in the third set of his match with Andy Roddick, clearly suffering from the heat as temperatures on the court soared to nearly 140 degrees. Roddick won when Djokovic couldn’t continue.

Earlier in the week, it seemed that every match featured multiple trainer time-outs being called due to cramps from the heat. The heat was the story of the whole week.

This isn’t boxing. This is tennis. Surviving the heat shouldn’t be an issue. And since you can’t change the weather, what can you do?

How’s this: CLOSE THE FUCKING ROOF!!

That’s right, Rod Laver Arena has a retractable roof for rain and extreme heat. So when Novak Djokovic was suffering from the extreme heat, what did they do? They left the roof open.

Why ruin the fan’s wonderful day in the sun when you can just ruin Novak Djokovic’s tournament?

Why would you spend $94 million (AUD) to build a retractable roof stadium, then leave the roof open while players in your marquee event quit matches due to the heat.

This is not (or at least shouldn’t be) an endurance test. Sure, you should get rewarded for being in better condition than your opponent, but you shouldn’t win only because your in better condition than your opponent.

Perhaps none of these results would have been any different with the roof closed, but there is no excuse for this happening even once.

The Australian Open needs to take a long, hard look at this for next year. Protecting the players is your top priority, creating the best atmosphere for everyone else is your second priority.

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