logo
Heat returns to Wimbledon as Aryna Sabalenka offers water and ice pack to fans at Centre Court

Heat returns to Wimbledon as Aryna Sabalenka offers water and ice pack to fans at Centre Court

Al Arabiya10-07-2025
Players and fans felt the impact of high temperatures at Wimbledon when Thursday's semifinal match between top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova was delayed twice in the first set because of spectators feeling unwell. The affected fans at Centre Court were seated in the lower level – not shaded – and on both occasions Sabalenka walked over to offer a bottle of water. The first time she also offered a blue ice pack.
'I feel like London is not ready for this weather. It was super hot,' Sabalenka said after losing to Anisimova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The temperature during the first set reached 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius). 'I can't even imagine sitting in one place and the sun just constantly hitting on you,' Sabalenka said. 'You got to be really prepared, stay hydrated. It can happen to everyone.'
Sabalenka herself used ice packs – placing them on her head – to cool down during changeovers. She said the delays had no impact on her performance. 'I was able to play my game no matter. Doesn't matter how long the pause was. I just hope they (those fans) feel better,' she said.
The grass-court tournament experienced record-breaking Day 1 heat when the temperature rose to 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Greek heatwave drags out as temperatures near 46C
Greek heatwave drags out as temperatures near 46C

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Greek heatwave drags out as temperatures near 46C

ATHENS: A week-long heatwave in Greece that began on Monday is now expected to last more than a week, the country's weather service said as temperatures on Friday neared 46C. The National Observatory in Athens said the warmest temperature recorded was 45.8C in the Peloponnese region of Messinia. In Athens, the highest temperature in parts of the capital was 42C, also recorded in the main port of Piraeus. Officials once again modified the opening hours of the Acropolis, the country's top archaeological site, for the safety of visitors and staff. The monument was shut from midday to 5:00 p.m. — the hottest part of the day — in line with usual safety rules. The Greek weather agency EMY modified a warning note to reflect that temperatures would begin falling after Monday July 28, instead of on the weekend as it had previously reported. Northern winds are expected to pick up later Friday, raising the risk of fires, EMY said. A wildfire earlier this week destroyed more than 2,800 acres (1,130 hectares) of forest and grassland near the mountain village of Feneos in the Peloponnese. It was apparently started by two workmen using welding equipment near a forest. Over half of the area affected was a pine forest that cannot regenerate, the National Observatory said. On Friday, a fire burning near the city of Kilkis in northern Greece forced the evacuation of a university, homes and businesses, the fire service said. A high of 44C was expected in Greece on Saturday, with a maximum of 42C forecast in Athens, the agency said. In neighboring Albania, there were 10 active fires including one in Delvina, near the border with Greece. Another fire in Kakavia, near the border crossing with Greece, was brought under control on Thursday.

FIA and Formula E agree 10-year extension to electric world championship
FIA and Formula E agree 10-year extension to electric world championship

Arab News

time2 hours ago

  • Arab News

FIA and Formula E agree 10-year extension to electric world championship

LONDON: The FIA and Formula E have agreed a 10-year extension to their partnership, securing the future of the FIA Formula E World Championship until at least 2038. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Announced on Friday, the new multi-year agreement between the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and Formula E ensures the world's premier all-electric racing series will continue to operate under the FIA's governance for another decade beyond the current deal. The extension is a pivotal moment for Formula E, which has recorded 20 percent year-on-year growth since its inaugural race in 2014. The sport now attracts more than 400 million fans worldwide and reaches a global TV audience of about half a billion. Described by the FIA as a milestone for innovation and sustainability in motorsport, the renewed deal will allow Formula E to accelerate its expansion, pursue long-range partnerships and enhance its position as a testbed for electric vehicle technologies that translate to consumer markets. 'The extension of the agreement governing the FIA Formula E World Championship is a fantastic outcome for the sport and a clear reflection of our ongoing strategy at the FIA to foster long-term stability, innovation, and growth across all areas of motorsport,' said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president at the FIA. 'This milestone reaffirms our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological progress, which are all central to the championship's unique identity and purpose. It also aligns with our broader goal of increasing global participation and driving more accessible motorsport for all. We are delighted to be continuing this journey with Formula E, and I look forward to seeing it grow even further, both on and off the track, in the years to come,' he added. Formula E's cutting-edge credentials were further bolstered by the recent launch of the GEN3 Evo race car, which accelerates from 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds, about 30 percent quicker than a current Formula 1 car. It has a top speed of 200mph and regenerates nearly half the energy used in a race. Sustainability is a core pillar, with tyres containing 35 percent recycled materials and bodywork incorporating recycled carbon fibre and natural fibres. Craig Edmondson, chief commercial officer at the FIA, added: 'Formula E has not only demonstrated impressive growth since its inception, but has also led the way on sustainable innovation in our industry. This is a landmark agreement for the FIA and Formula E, and we are excited to be working with the championship in the years to come.' The deal also provides the long-term security required to invest further in vehicle performance, fan engagement, and technological advancement. Formula E is targeting faster top speeds, enhanced aerodynamics, better tyre performance, and closer racing. 'We've believed in Formula E since Day 1, and this extension reaffirms our confidence in where it's headed. This is the motorsport of the future, a championship that combines the very latest technology, close-combat racing, and a mission that really matters,' said Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, Formula E's majority owner. 'With the FIA's continued backing, we can now take the next big steps — scaling the sport, growing its global fanbase, and continuing to push the boundaries of what electric racing can achieve. 'With this new agreement in place, Formula E is now positioned better than ever to define the future of motorsport — more innovative, more inclusive, more sustainable — and to inspire the next generation of fans, drivers, and partners around the world,' he added. Formula E's roster includes major automotive manufacturers such as Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Maserati, Stellantis, Mahindra and Lola-Yamaha, with 11 teams and 22 drivers competing in cities including Jeddah, Monaco, Tokyo, London, Miami, and Shanghai. Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, said: 'Formula E's growth since its inception has been nothing short of extraordinary, with hundreds of millions of fans and world-class teams and drivers deciding to choose highly competitive electric racing. 'This long-term extension of the partnership enables us to continue building the brand, investing in the product and delivering some of the most captivating racing that has made us famous. 'With this long-term extension, the opportunity that Formula E now has to impact world motorsport will be truly transformational,' Dodds added. Formula E has topped global rankings for environmental, social and governance performance in sport for the past three years and continues to reduce freight emissions while delivering positive legacies in its host cities through its Better Future Fund. With global EV sales forecast to exceed 40 percent of all vehicle sales by 2030 and battery production expected to triple, the series is positioning itself at the forefront of technological and cultural shifts in motorsport and mobility.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store