MELBOURNE, Jan 18 — Rain prevented play on outside courts at the Australian Open today, compounding a scheduling backlog, with some players not happy about it.

Play was due to start at 11am (0000 GMT) but persistent drizzle meant there will be no action before 1pm at the earliest.

It follows intense heat then torrential rain playing havoc yesterday, with hours of delays and a slew of matches called off.

Those delayed matches were due to get under way early today, with the doubles competition also scheduled to start.

But only matches on the three main stadiums, which have roofs, were able to begin on time.

Briton Jamie Murray, a top doubles player and brother of Andy Murray, hit out at Wednesday’s schedule being released so late yesterday evening, which meant some players went to sleep not knowing when they would start.

"11am start on outside courts. Players arrive approx 8-830am,” he said on Twitter. "Schedule released 1130pm. Unfair.

"On top of that the weather is crap. Just start matches later and give players more rest/prep time. You have lights!”.

Belgian veteran Kirsten Flipkens was another who voiced concern.

"11:50pm ... I won’t be one of them but how can you let the players play at 11am, if you still dont have a schedule at this time?” she tweeted late yesterday. — AFP