Wimbledon Begins with Unprecedented Day 1 Heat

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    LONDON – The first day of Wimbledon commenced under blistering heat, with temperatures soaring to a historic high of 91 degrees Fahrenheit, equivalent to 33 degrees Celsius. This marks the warmest start for the illustrious Grand Slam competition ever recorded, surpassing the previous record when temperatures reached 85 degrees Fahrenheit in 2001. Players and spectators alike had a harsh introduction to the heatwave engulfing the All England Club on Monday.

    Veteran French player Adrian Mannarino, known for regularly applying sunscreen to his head during changes in his triumphant first-round bout, remarked on the oppressive conditions. “For sure, you feel like the sun is getting closer and closer every minute that passes by,” he commented. “I was struggling a little more than usual.”

    Germany’s Eva Lys noted after her match victory that the heat was a universal challenge. “I feel like everyone is kind of struggling with the heat right now,” she shared.

    Athletes resorted to cooling techniques such as ice-filled towels draped around their necks while taking breaks on the sidelines. Despite the discomfort, some found the temperatures tolerable, drawing parallels to the Australian Open’s Melbourne weather in January or the U.S. Open’s New York highs in August and September, which frequently sees temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and sometimes exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

    A 2023 study revealed that average temperatures during major tennis tournaments, including the U.S. Open, have steadily risen, indicating the impact of climate change. Such extreme heat can impede performance and raise the risk of heat-related illnesses among players.

    In the context of London, this heatwave stands out. “I’m not going to lie, it was pretty hot,” admitted British player Sonay Kartal, after ousting the 2017 French Open champion, Jelena Ostapenko. “It was hot, but I had ice towels, cold drinks and stuff. I wouldn’t say it affected me too much.”

    The typical temperature in London during June averages around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the UK’s weather service, the nation experienced its warmest and sunniest spring on record.

    Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Club, expressed her strategy for enduring the heat by stating, “I’ll spend the whole day going from one shady spot to another.” Brushing off the heat’s intensity, Bolton observed, “The athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour. For us Brits here at The Championships, it feels very hot.”

    Wimbledon officials are vigilant, monitoring climate conditions to determine if measures such as 10-minute breaks should be enacted during intense matches. These breaks apply if the heat-stress index surpasses 30.1 degrees Celsius (around 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

    Along with encouraging athletes to stay cool, organizers made additional provisions, such as increased ice availability on courts and rotating ball staff more frequently to mitigate the heat’s effects.

    For the abundant fans, Wimbledon staff dispensed advice parallel to that from medical professionals: “Come prepared. Bring a hat. Wear sunscreen. Wear light clothing if you can. Take breaks out of the sun,” advised Bolton. With over 100 water refill stations throughout the grounds, maintaining hydration is paramount. Furthermore, attendees were advised to look after one another to prevent heat stress illnesses.

    Spectators, armed with umbrellas, provided themselves shade under the relentless sun—a stark contrast to previous years where rain, not heat, was the primary concern. Reflecting on last year’s drizzly introduction, Bolton quipped, “We’re not used to these sort of temperatures, but we’re absolutely ready for it — and actually delighted that it’s sunny and not wet, like it was last year.”