Heavy Rain, lightning suspends early matches on Day 1 of Australian Open 2025

The heavy rainfall in Melbourne City had forced the suspension of the matches outside the courts on January 12, about an hour into the opening day of the 2025 Australian Open. Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion and runner-up here last year, could continue playing 20-year-old star player Anca Todoni on the Rod Laver Arena, one of the three covered stadiums at Melbourne Park.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain at the Australia Open main draw matches.

Update: NO PLAY before 14:00 AEDT (1hr 40 mins) from now.

Yulia Starodubtsewa - Leylah Fernandez 3-5* (0-15)

Bernarda Pera - Tatjana Maria 6-6

Veronika Erjavec - Suzan Lamens 5-7

Hugo Gaston - Omar… https://t.co/UJuQT8afMapic.twitter.com/jkCWJdf4s4

— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) January 12, 2025

However, it was witnessed that the duo had just finished up with the thrilling encounter formalities of the pre-match on the main show court, including the coin toss overseen by Australian tennis player John Newcombe, when the game was halted a few minutes into the game so that the roof of the game could get closed. It even continued indoors.

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The Qinwen vs Todoni match at Australian Open delivering the drama like only the WTA can pic.twitter.com/o9JwzTridM

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025

Stormy start of the Australian Open 2025

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Notably, fans scrambled for any cover they could find, and tournament organizers suspended play on all outside courts until at least 2 pm (IST). Showers were even forecasted to continue into the evening.

Meanwhile, tennis star player Mirra Andreeva may be more famous, but she seems she hasn't lost her sense of humor a year removed from her breakout performance at the 2025 Australia Open. The number 14 seed had the John Cain Arena crowd when discussing her former coach, Conchita Martinez.

"It depends on her mood to be honest. It depends if I work well. I would say that she's an OK coach … oh my god, I'm in trouble, we can stop. With her, I kind of became closer to fearless - before, I would never go to play a volley in match point and here I decided, why not? I decided to go for it and it's worked. Now she has a better sense of humour with me," Mirra Andreeva said on Day 1 of the Australia Open.

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