World No.4 Andy Murray has rejected the idea of moving the Australian Open to avoid the searing summer heat that left his brother with heat stroke.
The extreme heat policy was finally invoked on Thursday, the third consecutive day with temperatures above 40 degrees.
Murray’s older brother required two hours of medical supervision for heat stroke after victory in the men’s doubles with Australian partner John Peers.
The Scotsman said his brother, who suffered cramping mid-match, wasn’t in a “great way”.
“He drank loads when he got off the court but he was finding it quite hard to eat,” Murray said.
“He was struggling for a good three or four hours after the match.”
Murray, the Wimbledon champion, believed there would be discussions between the ATP men’s tour and the International Tennis Federation about how the tournament handled the heat.
“I’m sure there will be some discussions to maybe shore up the rules a bit and make it easier for everybody to understand.”
But Murray didn’t want the grand slam pushed back to February, when it’s usually slightly cooler in Melbourne.
“Let’s remember that it’s the first time it’s ever been like this.
“I don’t really mind the place it is in the calendar.
“It rewards the guys … you can see who’s put the work in the off-season and that’s why I like it being where it is.”
Meanwhile, in Friday matches Serena Williams will continue her title defence against Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova to open proceedings on Rod Laver Arena.
Samantha Stosur is the first in the night matches, up against former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic.
That match will be followed by men’s champion Novak Djokovic against Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan.