Australian Open matches axed as huge downpours and bushfire smoke create hazardous air to put tournament under threat

AUSTRALIAN OPEN qualifying was cancelled on Wednesday after bushfire smoke and extremely heavy rain led to major air quality concerns.

So bad are the conditions that reigning champion Novak Djokovic has suggested organisers should consider scrapping the entire tournament.

Local fire services had described the downpour forecast as “our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one” after weeks of hellish blazes.

After horse racing, cricket and lower level tennis events were cancelled – with March’s Formula 1 season opener also under threat – the Australian Open appeared to be battling on.

But qualifiers were postponed shortly after play began on Wednesday due to the adverse conditions.

The state of Victoria’s Environmental Protection Agency has forecast “hazardous” air quality across much of the region for the coming days.

Earlier in the week, ubiquitous smoke forced Dalila Jakupovic to retire from her qualifier, the Slovenian collapsing on court and suffering a coughing fit.

And Maria Sharapova’s exhibition event versus Laura Siegmund saw both players complain of difficulty breathing.

The Russian said: “I actually started to feel a cough coming on at the end of the second set.

“But I thought maybe because I have been feeling sick for the last couple of weeks it was something to do with that.

“Then, when I heard Laura speak to the umpire about it saying she was struggling as well, I was like ‘OK, thankfully I am not the only one’.”

Sharapova and Siegmund called off their clash in Kooyong, just ten minutes from Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena that will host the Open.

There were hopes that, not only will the rain quell the remaining fires, but can also help clear the air.

But risks of thunderstorms and flash floods could serve to increase the damage done in anightmare Aussie summer.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed and millions of animals feared dead with the human death roll reaching 28.

World No 2 Djokovic has stated that players’ health will be paramount ahead of the first-round of the Australian Open beginning on Monday.

The Serb said: “If it comes down to those conditions affecting the health of players, I think we should definitely consider [cancelling the tournament].”

Qualifiers are due to continue until the weekend with Canadian ace Eugenie Bouchard requiring a stoppage in her tie with You Xiaodi due to chest pain.

She explained afterwards: “No cough, just heavy air, a bit tough to breathe and when you’re out of breath after a long, tough point I felt I couldn’t breathe well and that feeling made me a bit nauseous.

“Like the heat rule, there should be an air quality rule.”