PETALING JAYA: Just when it seemed the Axiata Arena had put its roof problems behind, water once again disrupted play at the ongoing Malaysian Masters.

This time, however, the issue was not due to leaks.

The unexpected drips that interrupted several matches during the tournament were caused by condensation from air-conditioning pipes rather than rainwater.

The problem was first noticed on Wednesday, the second day of the tournament, but became more severe when the competition reached the second round yesterday.

Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) chief executive officer Iliyas Jamil explained that the issue occurred when the cold air inside the stadium reacted with the hot weather outside, causing moisture to build up on the roof.

“The droplets are due to condensation on the sprinkler and air-conditioning pipes. It is not because of a leaking roof,” said Iliyas.

“The current roofing system differs from the previous one in that trapped air causes the condensation. We have implemented a temporary fix by wiping the pipes every one to five hours. So far, this has resolved the problem.”

For the players, although the issue disrupted their rhythm as several matches were paused to wipe the courts and prevent slippery surfaces that could cause injuries, they refused to use it as an excuse.

Mixed doubles player Toh Ee Wei, when asked about the court conditions, said the slightly damp surface was not a factor in their loss.

“Our opponents faced the same problem, and it did not affect our game. I have to accept that we lost,” said the 24-year-old.

In the match, Ee Wei and her partner Bing Kun lost 21-19, 20-22, 18-21 to the Taiwanese pair Ye Hong-wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan.

The Axiata Arena had previously faced roof leakage issues during the Malaysian Open in January, when heavy rain on the first day forced the delay of several matches at the Super 1000-level event.