Australian Open sets air pollution limit after angering over bushfire smoke

MELBOURNE: Australian Open organizers on Saturday introduced a scaled air quality rating to determine when play can be suspended following stinging criticism after days of toxic smoke during qualifying.

Air quality in Melbourne was among the worst on the planet on Tuesday and only marginally better Wednesday because of smoke from bushfires that have devastated huge swathes of the country.

It was recommended that people and their pets stay indoors, but qualifying for the opening Grand Slam of the year went ahead regardless.

Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her match after a distressing coughing fit, while Britain's Liam Broady claimed "multiple" players needed asthma medication. Broady also was seething over what he considered a lack of clarity on the decision-making process about when to suspend play.

"The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago the more it boils my blood," he said. Agencies

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