Tennis fans in Melbourne have been greeted by a 1.5m-high sculpture of a melting tennis ball with the words ‘climate crisis’ on it.

The artwork, installed in Federation Square by Greenpeace Australia Pacific volunteers, draws attention to the imminent threats that climate change poses to the Open, which has already been disrupted by bushfire smoke and heatwaves that put players and spectators at risk.

The sculpture is accompanied by a series of smaller melting tennis balls captured around Melbourne streets by Greenpeace Australia Pacific Volunteers.

The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually in Melbourne, Australia.