Margaret Court Makes Wild Claim on Heat Policy After Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Suffer Cramps at the Australian Open
Jannik Sinner crashed out of the Australian Open after losing to Novak Djokovic in five sets.
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Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Margaret Court (via X/TNT Sports/SBC News)
24-time Grand Slam singles champion Margaret Court has claimed that intense heat conditions at the 2026 Australian Open are due to a “widespread moral failures and sins” of the host country. Her statement comes days after reports showed that the temperature reached 43°C in Melbourne, which led to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the top two players on the ATP circuit, struggling with cramps.
Sinner limped desperately, trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs during his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri at Rod Laver Arena. The Italian star lost the first round against the American, but regrouped in the second set, which made the clash tied. But surprisingly, in the third set, he found himself down 1-3.
He then began to struggle with cramps on the court as the intense heat exceeded 40°C. Play was suspended for several minutes as the roof of the Rod Laver Arena was closed. That saved Sinner as he was on the verge of a third-round exit in Melbourne. When play resumed, the two-time champion returned as a revitalized man.
Sinner went on to beat the World No.85 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at the tournament. On the other hand, Alcaraz struggled with cramps in the semi-finals of the Australian Open against Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard was up two to love against the World No.3 before he began to have cramps in his left leg.
However, Alcaraz fought hard to find his best level to eventually beat the German star 6-4, 7-6 (5), (3) 6-7, (4) 6-7, 7-5 after five hours and 30 minutes. In an interview with The Advocate, Court revealed that she had foreseen seeming wrath as God’s punishment against the transgression of the country.
I tried to tell you lot. I really did. I warned you that god would punish us for their blatant and widespread moral failures and sins of this country. And lo and behold, it has happened. 45 degrees yesterday. Don’t try and blame it on some airy fairy made up climate change woo woo stuff. This is clear evidence that this country’s transgressions, pardon the pun, have brought his down upon us. And while I’m not happy it’s happening, I’m happy to say I told you so.
This is not the first time that the Court has made such controversial statement. In 2012, she opposed the proposed same-sex marriage reforms in her country. Five years later, she revealed that the women’s circuit is “full of lesbians”. The 83-year-old has also criticized gay tennis players, such as Billie Jean King, Rennae Stubbs, and Martina Navratilova.
Novak Djokovic on course to surpass Margaret Court’s record at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic finds himself just one step away from breaking clear of Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam titles. The 38-year-old equaled Court’s record after winning the 2023 US Open, beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. Since then, he has been pursuing the elusive 25th major title, but has always fallen short.
He last reached a Grand Slam final at the 2024 Wimbledon Championship, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. Last year, he never went past the last four of all four Grand Slams. Stunningly at the 2026 Australian Open, the former World No.1 pulled an incredible display from his arsenal to beat Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.
Djokovic was not expected to get past the third set of the match, having luckily got to the semi-finals after Lorenzo Musetti retired from their quarter-finals clash at the tournament. He beat Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in four hours at the Rod Laver Arena. He will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday.
Djokovic holds a slim lead against Alcaraz 5-4 in their head-to-head record on tour. He has never lost a final at the Australian Open (10-0) record and defeated Alcaraz in the quarter-finals last year. However, Alcaraz has defeated the Serbian legend in their most recent clash at the 2025 US Open.
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