Australian Open explains air policy, with referee discretion

As wildfires continue to burn in parts of Australia, country's Grand Slam tournament explained its recently developed air quality policy, saying it was based on a scientific analysis of something called "fine particulate matter rating" -- but also giving tournament referee right to start or stop matches "at his or her absolute discretion."

Australian Open organizers released policy Friday, three days before beginning of main-draw action, following complaints from some players who questioned wher qualifying matches should have been held this week even though Melbourne's air quality was among worst in world because of smoke arriving from fires about 100 miles east of city.

On Tuesday, one player collapsed to her knees while coughing heavily; ar sought medical attention because he was having trouble breathing.

Friday's statement said measurements of air quality are me throughout each day of play, and conditions will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "good playing conditions," and 5 representing conditions so b that competition will be suspended -- but even n, t immediately.

Inste, policy says break will arrive only after a set reaches an even number of games or an in-progress tiebreaker is completed.

And n policy goes on to say: “At any point, Referee may decide to suspend, maintain or resume match play in accordance with this policy and at his or her absolute discretion, taking into account vice from onsite medical experts, visibility, forecast changes to wear conditions and any or factors deemed relevant to overall assessment of air quality.”

At three arenas with retractable roofs, play will be halted so stiums can be covered, and play may resume once that court's air quality rating drops below 5.

When a suspended match resumes, players will be given at least 30 minutes' tice before needing to be back on court.

More than two dozen people and millions of animals have been killed in fires around continent.