Wimbledon kicked off its prestigious tennis tournament under sweltering conditions on Monday, as temperatures in the United Kingdom broke past 90 degrees Fahrenheit (over 32 degrees Celsius) for the first time in recorded history. Despite the extreme heat, the tournament’s renowned grass courts remained bustling with action as top players competed in front of sweating fans at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, just outside the city center.
Recognizing the potentially hazardous conditions posed by the heatwave, event organizers prepared extensively. For this year’s tournament, there were over 100 water refill stations across the expansive grounds, a record number, alongside the distribution of 6,700 refillable water bottles to staff members.
“To ensure a safe environment for everyone, we have developed comprehensive plans to combat the heat,” tournament officials said in a statement as the matches commenced. Part of this initiative included the implementation of “shade mapping”—a detailed study that helps guide patrons to the coolest areas of the venue.
However, despite these preparations, the merciless heat proved too much for some attendees. During a first-round match on Centre Court, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz quickly reacted after witnessing a fan collapse in the stands. He promptly alerted officials and offered the downed spectator a cold water bottle as medical personnel arrived, resulting in a temporary 16-minute delay of the match.
With these scorching temperatures affecting all aspects of the tournament experience, both the players and spectators are adjusting to the reality of climate change and its implications on outdoor events.
