Iga Swiatek leads calls for Wimbledon to close Centre Court roof for finals as more fans taken ill in extreme heat
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WIMBLEDON chiefs faced mounting pressure to break tradition and close the Centre Court roof for the finals this weekend - as fans continue to collapse in the scorching heat.
The much-anticipated semi-final clash between reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz had to be paused twice today when two spectators fell ill.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
Iga Swiatek suggested the roof should be closed for the Wimbledon final
Credit: EPA
6
Various fans have been taken ill during the heatwave
Credit: Getty
The 31C temperatures in SW19 got too much for one woman who was carried out by staff just 40 minutes into the match.
Minutes later, a pensioner became unwell in the stands and was treated by paramedics.
She collapsed again by the stairs as medics tried to stretcher her out.
Dozens of seats were left empty during the second set of the blockbuster showdown as those sitting in direct sunlight sought shade off the court.
READ MORE ON WIMBLEDON
UNBE-LOO-VABLE I commentated on Alcaraz epic and somehow held my pee for over five hours
At least eight spectators have fallen ill so far this year - prompting calls for Championship bosses to utilise the £70million retractable roof in hot weather.
Polish finalist Iga Swiatek, 24, questioned why it cannot be closed after someone in the crowd passed out during her semi-final win over Belinda Bencic on Thursday evening.
She said: 'From what I saw and heard on different tournaments, they're usually not willing to close the roof when it's not raining, when it's not a necessity.
"I'm not sure why.'
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
The world No4 said she would not object to the roof being shut 'if it would help' protect fans.
The nail-biting clash was paused for nine minutes while the spectator was stretchered out.
Sabalenka vs Anisimova Wimbledon semi-final suspended for medical emergency as medics rush into crowd to help
It was the third medical incident of the day - after the blockbuster showdown between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova was paused twice for the same reason.
Belarusian ace Sabalenka, 27, said 'London is not ready for this weather' after she stepped in to hand-deliver an ice pack and water to fans struggling in the heat.
She added: 'It was super hot. I can't even imagine sitting in one place and the sun just constantly hitting you.'
US star Anisimova, 23, who caused upset by turfing out the world No1 to set up the Swiatek showdown, said the heat made the clash 'tough', adding: 'I felt like I was getting tired throughout some points of the match.'
Wimbledon's two show courts have air conditioning systems which maintain optimal conditions when the retractable roofs are closed.
The tech regulates temperature and humidity to ensure the grass court remains suitable for play.
But the roof - which takes around ten minutes to shut - has never been closed due to hot weather since it was completed in 2009.
6
WIMBLEDON 2025 LIVE - FOLLOW ALL THE LATEST SCORES AND UPDATES FROM A THRILLING FORTNIGHT AT SW19
Tennis fans have urged the club to reconsider the rules.
Helen Rushton, 68, who travelled to the tournament with her partner Ewart Dawson from Aberdeenshire, stressed: 'If you've got the technology there, you might as well use it.'
Retired airline pilot Ewart, also 68, added: 'It would keep everybody cool. It seems to be getting hotter every year.'
IT worker Kevin Dawson, 57, from Cheltenham, said the roof now has 'dual purpose'.
He added: 'It's not a bad option to use it to avoid the sun.
"With the extreme temperatures, you can be sitting there for several hours with the sun pumping down on you.'
His wife Sue, 59, said it would stop the treatment of fans 'delaying matches'
She added: 'If you've got a roof, maybe use it to keep the matches going.'
The All England Club said it has significantly increased the number of messages on screens across the grounds and on courts to remind guests to seek shade, drink water and take time out of the sun.
But a spokesperson stressed they would never close the roof unless it's raining.
6
The roof takes approximately ten minutes to close
Credit: PA
6
Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz was halted twice in the same game
Credit: BBC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Was it illegal? Yes' – Open star's half-blind coach dad let him drink and try drugs as kid and now lives in the jungle
GOLF SHOTS 'Was it illegal? Yes' – Open star's half-blind coach dad let him drink and try drugs as kid and now lives in the jungle Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) XANDER SCHAUFFELE was illegally allowed to try drugs, drink alcohol and smoke cigars as a child - by his own dad. Fast forward 16 years and the pair drank booze out of the Claret Jug after his Open glory. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Xander Schauffele won The Open last year at Royal Troon Credit: Reuters 5 He was congratulated after the 18th hole by his father Stefan Credit: Getty Schauffele, 31, won The Open at Royal Troon 12 months ago - nine weeks after his maiden Major win at the PGA Championship - and arrives at Portrush as the defending champion. And as well as necking red wine and 'clear liquors' from golf's famous trophy a year ago, he admitted in his champion's press conference: 'I hate to say it, but I've had wine, of course, and then I've had tequila out of it, as well.' Schauffele, though, has been consuming alcohol with his old man Stefan since his early teens. His old man would even give French cognac and Cuban cigars to Xander and his childhood friends when they visited their San Diego home in the mid-noughties. Speaking to The Times, Stefan, 61, said: 'In America, the drinking age is 21 but you're allowed to be killed for your country at 18. This is bulls***. 'I told my boys [Xander and his older brother Nico]: I will teach you everything I know and cram in as many life experiences as I can until you're 16, then you're an adult in my mind. 'That included sexual experiences, even drugs. Someone was selling marijuana and cocaine at the middle school when Xander was 14, so you need to confront this. 'I said, 'I don't mind if you try, you just need to be aware it can f*** you up.' 'There were a lot of green faces with the cigars, some accidents with the alcohol, but they all learnt very quickly. 'Was it illegal? Yes. Can they put me in jail for it now? I don't think so.' Xander Schauffele jokes he was 'trending towards an alcoholic,' but he's happy to be back in Scotland Reflecting back on that upbringing, American Schauffele Jr added: 'He wanted to show me what's on the other side if you are successful. 'But maybe he just wanted a buddy to drink and smoke with.' Around the same age, Stefan challenged Xander to a full-on wrestling fight in the bathroom which ended up with a broken towel rail and the youngster in the bath. Xander added: 'Let's just say I didn't win the fight.' Stefan's parenting techniques have certainly raised question marks. But his determination for his son to succeed as a sporting professional is undeniable. And it is personal for Stefan, too. His own grandfather, Xander's great-grandfather, Richard was a 6ft 8ins 'monster' who played as a striker for Stuttgart before turning to athletics. He qualified for the Olympics discus event and was tipped for gold but injured his shoulder and would never reach the same heights again. HORROR CRASH Stuttgart-born Stefan inherited the sporting genes, initially in the long jump and javelin throw before joining the German national decathlon team. However, like his grandad, his career was cruelly ripped away from him when his car was hit head-on by a drink-driver in 1986. After six eye surgeries and two years in and out of hospital, he used the compensation payment to buy a one-way ticket to California, where he met Ping-Yi Chen, Xander's mother. The couple's first child tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome and they spent two years living in Tokyo, where Stefan discovered golf, a sport he found 'boring' but one he could play with his limited eyesight. So when Xander showed an interest in wanting to make a life out of the sport, Stefan was fully on board, regularly handing in sick notes at Xander's school to take him to the driving range. Now Schauffele has had three crowning moments in his illustrious career - and each one has a significant link to dad Stefan. The first was winning Olympic gold at the delayed Tokyo 2020 games four years ago. Xander gave Stefan - still coaching and representing him at the time - his precious medal. Xander said: 'That was a seriously emotional moment.' Stefan added: 'You're going to make me cry just thinking about it. 'He understood how huge the Olympics was for me. We got in the car and he gave me the medal and said, 'This is for you.'' I got some heckles for it but it's all good fun... it's a trophy that car Xander Schauffele Then came the PGA Championship win at Valhalla in May 2024 as Schauffele ditched his nearly-man tag by pipping Bryson DeChambeau by one shot. However, Stefan was not there to see his son become a Major champion. That is because he lives in a 20ft shipping container in the remote Hawaiian island of Kauai where he clears areas of jungle with a chainsaw. The mobile home - Stefan had been a 'complete hermit' before being forced to buy the semi-permanent pad - has no electricity or hot water. But he managed to find some electricity to watch the final seven holes of Xander's fourth round at the PGA. Then two months later, Stefan watched his son crowned Champion Golfer of the Year with his victory at Royal Troon. But despite career earnings about to reach £45million - he is 15th in the all-time PGA list - Xander has not lost touch with his humble roots, by still driving his 2015 Toyota Camry, a nod to his rental motor he would drive to qualifying rounds of tournaments ranked way down at No1,734 in the world. Schauffele - who turned down an offer worth a reported £150m from LIV Golf in 2022 - revealed: 'I drove it to Torrey Pines this year. 'I got some heckles for it but it's all good fun. 'It's a trophy that car. Those moments of despair are very important.' Come Sunday, Xander and Stefan will be hoping to keep hold of the other trophy for another year, too. 5 Stefan certainly had some unusual parenting choices Credit: Getty 5 Xander gave his father his Olympic medal and the Claret Jug for a year Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Hearts boss Robbie Neilson back in football – as assistant to former Hibs manager
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THEY went head-to-head in the dugout in the Edinburgh derby. Now former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has linked up with his old Hibs rival in Belgium. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Robbie Neilson is back in football in a surprise new role Credit: Andrew Barr 2 He has reunited with Lee Johnson abroad Credit: SNS Neilson, 45, has reunited with ex-Hibs boss Lee Johnson as his No2 at Belgian outfit SK Lommel in a surprise appointment. Neilson has been looking for his next role in football ever since he was axed by USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies in April. The former Hearts manager and captain was appointed manager of the American club in 2023 and stayed there for two years before his dismissal earlier this year. That was his first manager job since being given the boot by the Jambos and his first gaffer role outside of the UK following stints at MK Dons and Dundee United, as well as the Gorgie side. Now he's back in football after a three-month exile, where he will begin working alongside Johnson at the City Football Group club. Johnson was appointed Lommel manager in March after a short spell working with Manchester City in a role which saw him prepare their fringe and development players ahead of the 2024/25 season. Lommel currently play in the Belgian Pro League - the nation's second division - where they finished in 11th place last season. Neilson will begin working with the team right away alongside Robin Henkens who will also serve as an assistant to Johnson. The ex-Hearts boss told the club's website: "I spent a few days in Lommel at the end of last season. "I was very impressed with the professional work environment and the talent within this group. Robbie Neilson Released by Rangers, finding a home at Hearts, and splitting the Old Firm "The discussions that followed were excellent, and I'm thrilled to be joining this club. Together with the rest of the staff, we'll do everything we can to get the most out of this group!" Neilson and Johnson crossed paths in Edinburgh in the 2022/23 season when the Englishman took over at Easter Road. Johnson failed to beat his counterpart on three occasions as the first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw, while Hearts came out on top in the next two meetings with 3-0 wins, including a Scottish Cup triumph at Easter Road. Neilson was axed in April, 2023, just days before Johnson picked up his first and only win over the Jambos. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Cole Palmer arrives in St Kitts to hero's welcome after Club World Cup as Chelsea star visits grandad's birthplace
Palmer's arrival was spoken about by the island's prime minister PALM TREES Cole Palmer arrives in St Kitts to hero's welcome after Club World Cup as Chelsea star visits grandad's birthplace Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COLE PALMER was given a hero's welcome at a Caribbean island following Chelsea's Club World Cup success. The midfielder netted two goals as the Blues beat Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the tournament on Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Cole Palmer received a hero's welcome at St. Kitts and Nevis Credit: Daryl Grant/St Kitts Toursim Authority 9 Palmer's grandfather was born on the Caribbean island Credit: hamilton-pr 9 He was greeted by deputy prime minister Dr. Hon. Geoffrey Hanley Credit: PA 9 Palmer has a huge fan base on the island Credit: hamilton-pr Palmer, 23, has now jetted off for a break ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign which starts next month. The England international is now enjoying himself before returning to London for pre-season. He has flown to St. Kitts in the Caribbean with the island holding a special place in his heart. The exotic holiday destination was the birthplace of Palmer's grandfather, Sterry Palmer. Palmer's love of the island is well-known as he wears the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis on his boots alongside the English flag. It is the first time that Chelsea's No.10 has visited the island and he was given a rousing reception. Palmer was greeted by the deputy prime minister Dr. Hon. Geoffrey Hanley and the minister of tourism Hon. Marsha T. Henderson. A troupe of traditional Masquerade performers were also on hand to give the star an authentic Kittitian welcome. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Palmer admitted his excitement to see the island and experience its culture shortly after landing. He said: "Landing in St. Kitts off the back of winning the Club World Cup felt really special. Chelsea fans stunned after Cole Palmer spotted riding SCOOTER before PSG clash in New York "It's where my grandad's love for football started. The island's beautiful and really chilled. "I can't wait to explore the mountains, rainforest and sea - and to try out the food." Palmer's recent achievements were even hailed by the prime minister Dr. Terrance Drew. He insisted that Palmer can help inspire youngsters in St. Kitts and Nevis to success of their own. 9 Palmer's trip comes after his performances at the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 9 The midfielder starred for Chelsea as they won the tournament Credit: Getty 9 He was named the Player of the Tournament Credit: Getty 9 Palmer met president Donald Trump after the final Credit: Getty He said: "Cole Palmer's visit to St. Kitts and Nevis is a powerful reminder of the strength and pride of our diaspora. "His presence and mentorship will inspire the next generation to believe that global success is possible, no matter where you come from. "We are proud to welcome him home and deeply grateful for his commitment to our young people and to the development of sports in our Federation." The trip follows on from Palmer's excellent performances at the Club World Cup in the US. The midfielder engrossed himself in the American lifestyle and even scootered incognito through Times Square before the final against PSG. During the trophy lift, Palmer was left looking confused as president Donald Trump joined the Blues for their celebrations. Palmer's dad, Jermaine, previously spoke about the prospect of him visiting St. Kitts and Nevis and joked that he would need a police escort. Palmer and co will start their Premier League campaign with FOUR London derbies in a row. Enzo Maresca's side first face Crystal Palace before clashes against West Ham, Fulham and Brentford.
