Australian Open play on outer courts resumes after long weather delay

Update: Play resumed on outer courts at the Australian Open around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after a rain delay lasting more than six hours on Day 1.

Torrential rain and lightning have halted play on all outdoor courts on Day 1 of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

While play continues on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena, play on all other courts was suspended approximately 50 minutes after matches began Sunday.

The wild weather won't impact the two highest-seeded men in action today. Norway's Casper Ruud, No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is set to play second on Laver against Spain's Jaume Munar, whom he leads 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

In the feature night match on Laver, World No. 2 and two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev faces a first meeting with French wild card Lucas Pouille. Zverev starts the season high on confidence after a 69-21 match record last season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

The rain forced players to scramble for indoor practice courts, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner practising side by side as they shared a court.

Jannik and Carlos, side-by-side 🤝#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/W9G59M6LIV

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025