Whether to put the policy into effect is entirely at the discretion of tournament referee Wayne McKewen this year after a change in the rules.
McKewen uses the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading, which takes into account humidity and wind
direction as well as heat.
He had been criticised for allowing play to continue throughout Tuesday and Wednesday despite temperatures soaring above 40 degrees.
Canadian Frank Dancevic and a ball boy both fainted on court, three players withdrew mid-match because of the effects of the heat and spectators left in their droves.
At just before 2pm local time on Thursday, the announcement came that the policy had been implemented, with the temperature measured at 42 degrees.
Play did not stop immediately, with all players required to complete the set they were playing.
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