The Australian Open will go ahead as scheduled next week despite continuing concerns about the air quality in Melbourne, according to the grand slam's tournament director Craig Tiley.
The city has been affected by the widespread bushfires that have ravaged the country and organizers have come in for heavy criticism from players for allowing the qualifying rounds to go ahead with Melbourne enveloped by smoke haze."There is a lot of speculation about the Australian Open not happening, or starting later," Tiley told reporters."The Australian Open is happening.
There are different apps and websites which give you different readings."This is about trusting the medical advice and trusting the expertise and scientific advice of the people who analyze this every day. The safety, the wellbeing and the health of the players is the priority for us, as with our staff and our fans."Tiley says tournament organizers are using a specific type of air quality measure called PM2.5 and any reading in excess of 200 would be deemed unsafe for players.
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