Play in Rod Laver Arena was paused mid-match during Alex de Minaur’s third-round contest against Frances Tiafoe due to a medical emergency in the crowd.
Paramedics were called on court and the suspension lasted several minutes before the match could resume.
Officials cited sweltering heat conditions as a contributing factor and emphasised spectator and player safety as a priority.
The stoppage occurred while de Minaur was in control, with play briefly halted to ensure the fan received immediate medical attention.
Organisers also adjusted start times for matches because of extreme heat forecasts, trying to shift more play to cooler parts of the day.
This unexpected interruption added drama to an otherwise dominant display by the Australian star known for his relentless baseline speed and court coverage.
🇦🇺 Aussie Crowd Buzz and Tournament Highlights
Across Melbourne Park, fans have been treated to plenty of excitement and surprises:
Rising stars and quirky moments — including a light-hearted post-match celebration by Yulia Putintseva — have kept the atmosphere electric.
The doubles draw saw some upsets, notably with prominent pairs exiting in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Iva Jovic continued her breakthrough run into the Round of 16 with a confident victory.
🏆 Nick Kyrgios’ Journey in Melbourne
Despite earlier reports of Kyrgios reaching the next round in certain matches, his campaign has been a roller-coaster:
🎾 Mixed Doubles Success
Kyrgios teamed with Leylah Fernandez in the mixed doubles, where they staged an incredible comeback to win a thrilling match tie-break and advance to the next round.
They saved multiple match points en route to victory, showcasing Kyrgios’ resilience and flair in clutch moments.
🎾 Doubles Drama and Injury Struggles
In men’s doubles, Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis — affectionately known as the “Special Ks” — bowed out in a closely contested first-round match against compatriots Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.
The entertaining encounter was marked by crowd noise, tactical twists, and injury challenges, with Kyrgios battling a strapped knee and Kokkinakis nursing a shoulder issue.
Kyrgios expressed frustration over umpire decisions and tennis rules, particularly around review challenges, but hinted at future mixed doubles plans and potential changes to his schedule.
While the men’s doubles exit was disappointing, Kyrgios’ mixed doubles progress keeps his Melbourne Park run alive and gives fans more to watch as the tournament heads into the second week.
📅 What’s Next
As the 2026 Australian Open builds towards the business end of the fortnight:
Top seeds including Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, and others are in action as the draw tightens.
De Minaur remains one of Australia’s hopefuls still in contention, with his third-round match resuming and a likely path into the deeper rounds if he maintains his form.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Happy Slam unfolds with drama, big hits, and unpredictable moments in every corner of Melbourne Park. 🎾✨
