Martina Navratilova Rips ‘Calculated’ Roof Closure Following Jannik Sinner Scare

Last Updated:January 25, 2026, 09:53 IST

Martina Navratilova criticises Australian Open organizers for roof closure timing as Jannik Sinner battles heat and cramps at Rod Laver Arena.

Jannik Sinner plays a backhand return to Eliot Spizzirri (Picture credit: AP)

18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova has said that although closing the roof of a stadium is normal during rain, the organisers don’t do the same in case of heat, adding that it was a ‘calculated’ decision to do so to ensure Jannik Sinner could put up a fight.

Sinner was in a tight spot, trailing Spizzirri in the third set after dropping the opener and taking the second. The situation was compounded by the searing Melbourne heat, which left the Italian battling severe cramps and moving around the court.

Officials invoked the heat rule, halting play and closing the Rod Laver Arena roof. In just minutes, the conditions shifted, turning the outdoor hardcourt into an indoor environment.

During Tennis Channel’s analysis, Navratilova questioned why the Australian Open organisers, aware of the extreme heat, had not opted to close the roof. She highlighted how roofs tend to be closed at venues pre-emptively when there is rain involved.

“You know, in the middle of the match, they are gonna close the roof. So when they know there is rain coming, they will close the roof pre-emptively, but they don’t do it for heat,” Navratilova said.

“That does not make any sense. The timing was horrible for Spizzirri, but they should have just kept the roof closed from the start,” Navratilova added.

On a dramatic day on and off court, Sinner and Madison Keys moved into the last 16, as did 10-time winner Novak Djokovic.

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka was supposed to be in action in the third round but pulled out hours before due to an abdominal injury.

Osaka, who made a grand entrance this week in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, wrote on Instagram that ‘it breaks my heart’.

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