Don't sweat it: Forecast downgraded, but 'neck sausages' in demand at the Open
Expect to see desperately hot tennis players reaching for wet towels, ice cool drinks and "neck sausages" on day one of the Australian Open, but don't bet on the tournament's new heat policy coming to save them.
The forecast has been downgraded from 37 degrees to 35 degrees, making it less likely the tournament's new heat policy will come into play.
But the players are well versed in the challenges that a summer, outdoor tennis tournament brings anyways, and they prepare for the punishment. They're built for the stress and they expect it.
So, bring forth the "neck sausages".
A rather simple heat-busting tool, neck sausages are made from a towel wrapped into a tube shape and filled with ice.
Draped around players necks in between matches, they're in high demand at the Australian Open.
"I don't think there's any advice [I have] for them but you do feel for them in a way," Australian tennis legend Rod Laver said on Monday morning.
"But of course as long as they're fit and healthy they've got to pace themselves."
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said he is "very confident" the new heat policy will help players have a safer experience at the tournament in 2019.
"The players are prepared and they know that it is going to be hot," he said. "We have got really positive feedback on the heat policy.
"We expect to be at stage three, maybe move to stage four."
A crowd of 70,000 to 80,000 is expected to file into Melbourne Park on Monday despite the heat, Mr Tiley said.
Two of those in that crowd were Brisbane residents Dennis and Georgia Breitkruz.
They were dressed in bright, multi-coloured body suits cut off at the shoulders and the knees for extra ventilation.
They were among the first through the gates as Melbourne Park opened at 10am.
"We saw people at the Brisbane International dressed in fluro green and standing up cheering so we thought why not? Let's do the same. We might not jump up as much and be too crazy," Dennis, who is originally from Germany, said.
"I'll support Australia and Germany it just depends who is winning."
His wife Georgia was proud of her conversion work.
"I made Dennis do it because he is from Germany. I have converted him," she said.
"We are just going to stay out of the sun. We have got an apartment across the road so if we need a cool down we can use the pool there, throw everyone in there."
This year is also the first where the "Player Pod" will be open.
The four level pod-shaped building on the eastern side of Rod Laver Arena is a one-stop-shop for treatment, recovery, dining and lounging for players and their entourage.
The dining area boasts an ice cream bar, made-to-order sushi, a pasta station, a pizza oven and a 600-metre outdoor terrace that overlooks the precinct.