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Independent Singapore
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Independent Singapore
Wimbledon introduces new heat rule as temperatures hit record high
WIMBLEDON, LONDON: The opening day of this year's Wimbledon has been recorded as the hottest in the tournament's history, with temperatures reaching past 30 °C. With this, the Wimbledon organisers are preparing for hotter conditions as the competition progresses. The Chief Executive of the tournament, Sally Bolton, stated that there are measures in place to protect not only players but also fans and staff. 'Obviously, it's a very warm day. The first obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour. For us Brits here at the championships, it feels very hot. We do have the heat rule available to us, which is well used on the tour,' Bolton said. A special heat rule has been introduced to the players, where there will be an extra 10-minute break between specific sets. The officials will monitor the heat stress level during the day, and if the reading indicates that the temperature is above 30.1°C, then the rule will be activated. There are also protocols for the young participants—the ball boys and ball girls on court. Bolton stated, 'They've got cooling scarves, we'll be rotating them more if we feel we need to.' Bolton also assured the competition staff, noting, 'For colleagues working around the grounds, we've got plenty of changes in shift patterns to make sure they're getting regular breaks.' She also advised that spectators should come to the venue prepared by saying, 'For the guests that will be joining us we're offering the same advice as lots of the medical professionals – come prepared, bring a hat, wear sunscreen, wear light clothing if you can, take breaks out of the sun.' Bolton emphasised that there are water points around the venue, and if anyone is in need of medical assistance, there is also a medical team willing to help. 'We've got over 100 water points around the grounds, so definitely stay hydrated, and keep an eye on your friends and others around you. If people look like they're suffering a little bit from heat stress, we've got a really significantly sized medical team here, so we've got people to help if that's needed… We're not used to these sorts of temperatures, but we're absolutely ready for it and actually delighted that it's sunny and not wet like it was last year,' Bolton added. See also Japan vs Germany: Japan's shock strategy fools Germany Recently, Carlos Alcaraz handed water to a fan who fell ill during the fifth set of his first-round match at Wimbledon. 'Obviously, for the fans, and even here in London, they are not used to having this weather. Sitting five hours in the stand without moving, the sun hitting, I think, could be really difficult to deal with for the spectators,' the athlete shared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wimbledon organisers prepare for the heat as temperatures soar in SW19
Wimbledon organisers are confident they have the necessary precautions in place to cope with a day one heatwave. It is forecast to be one of the hottest June days ever in parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to well exceed 30C in SW19. Advertisement A heat rule is likely to be in place for the players, meaning an extra 10-minute break between sets two and three in women's singles and three and four in men's singles, but it could also be a difficult day for fans and officials. Chief executive Sally Bolton said: 'Obviously it's a very warm day. The first obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour. For us Brits here at the championships it feels very hot. We do have the heat rule available to us, which is well used on the tour.' Heat stress readings, measuring air temperature, surface temperature and humidity, will be taken at three points during the day, with the heat rule instigated if the reading goes behind 30.1C. Advertisement 'Beyond that we've got protocols in place for the ball boys and ball girls on court,' continued Bolton. 'They've got cooling scarves, we'll be rotating them more if we feel we need to. 'For colleagues working around the grounds we've got plenty of changes in shift patterns to make sure they're getting regular breaks. 'And for the guests that will be joining us we're offering the same advice as lots of the medical professionals – come prepared, bring a hat, wear sunscreen, wear light clothing if you can, take breaks out of the sun. 'We've got over 100 water points around the grounds so definitely stay hydrated, and keep an eye on your friends and others around you. Advertisement 'If people look like they're suffering a little bit from heat stress, we've got a really significantly sized medical team here so we've got people to help if that's needed. '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.' One big change at the tournament this year will be the absence of line judges, with all courts now exclusively using electronic line calling. The decision has not gone down well in the officiating community and with traditionalists, and Bolton insisted it is not a money-saving exercise. Advertisement 'The technology investment we've had to make to deliver ELC is not insignificant,' she said. 'I think it will be a little bit different and I think it will take us all a little bit of time to get used to that but we felt very much that it was time to move on.' Fans attending on the first couple of days at least will have a bumper selection of British players to follow, with 23 in action across the main singles draws, the most since 1984. Numbers in the queue in Monday morning were so high that by 10am organisers were recommending for people intending to join it not to travel. 'I'm sure that the number of Brits in the draw is contributing to that general excitement,' added Bolton.
Malay Mail
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Wimbledon braces for 33°C heat as players, fans and staff face rare summer scorcher on opening day
LONDON, June 30 — Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton said the Grand Slam was not used to baking summer temperatures but 'we're absolutely ready for it' as the mercury soared in London today. Temperatures on the first day of the Championships are expected to climb to at least 33 degrees Celsius. Wimbledon, often plagued by cool, damp weather, has a heat rule that it is ready to activate to safeguard the health of the players. It is based on a heat stress index that takes into account a number of factors including air temperature, humidity and the surface temperature. 'The obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour so for us Brits here at the championships it feels very hot,' said Bolton. 'We do have the heat rule available to us which again is well used on the tour so we will be taking heat stress monitor readings.' Heat stress monitor readings are taken 30 minutes before the start of play and then at 1400 (1300 GMT) and 1700. The heat rule allows a 10-minute break to be taken between the second and third sets for women's matches and between the third and fourth sets for men's matches, when the heat stress index is at or above 30.1 degrees Celsius. 'It's a well-tested rule but I appreciate not here at the Championships so often,' said Bolton. 'But we've got that ready to put in place'. The chief executive of the All England Club said there were also protocols in place to look after ball-boys and ball-girls on court, who have access to cooling scarves. Bolton urged fans to keep an eye on those around them. 'We've got a really significantly sized medical team here so we've got people here to help if that's needed,' she said. '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.' Fourth seed Jack Draper, who has previously struggled with the heat, said at his pre-tournament press conference that he had not taken special measures to prepare. 'Obviously it's something that all players struggle with in their way. It's just how you deal with it,' he said. 'I think in the past I haven't dealt with it incredibly well. So I have got my mechanisms on how I'm going to do that. It suits my game it being a bit hotter anyway. So that's the way I see it.' With thousands of people in the queue for tickets on Monday the All England Club is advising people not to travel. 'Please be aware that the queue for Day 1 — Monday 30th June — is very busy and to avoid disappointment we strongly advise you not to travel to the grounds today,' Wimbledon said in a statement. There were even announcements on the London Underground warning people against travelling. — AFP
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Wimbledon organisers prepare for the heat as temperatures soar in SW19
Wimbledon organisers are confident they have the necessary precautions in place to cope with a day one heatwave. It is forecast to be one of the hottest June days ever in parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to well exceed 30C in SW19. A heat rule is likely to be in place for the players, meaning an extra 10-minute break between sets two and three in women's singles and three and four in men's singles, but it could also be a difficult day for fans and officials. Chief executive Sally Bolton said: 'Obviously it's a very warm day. The first obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour. For us Brits here at the championships it feels very hot. We do have the heat rule available to us, which is well used on the tour.' Heat stress readings, measuring air temperature, surface temperature and humidity, will be taken at three points during the day, with the heat rule instigated if the reading goes behind 30.1C. 'Beyond that we've got protocols in place for the ball boys and ball girls on court,' continued Bolton. 'They've got cooling scarves, we'll be rotating them more if we feel we need to. 'For colleagues working around the grounds we've got plenty of changes in shift patterns to make sure they're getting regular breaks. 'And for the guests that will be joining us we're offering the same advice as lots of the medical professionals – come prepared, bring a hat, wear sunscreen, wear light clothing if you can, take breaks out of the sun. 'We've got over 100 water points around the grounds so definitely stay hydrated, and keep an eye on your friends and others around you. 'If people look like they're suffering a little bit from heat stress, we've got a really significantly sized medical team here so we've got people to help if that's needed. '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.' One big change at the tournament this year will be the absence of line judges, with all courts now exclusively using electronic line calling. The decision has not gone down well in the officiating community and with traditionalists, and Bolton insisted it is not a money-saving exercise. 'The technology investment we've had to make to deliver ELC is not insignificant,' she said. 'I think it will be a little bit different and I think it will take us all a little bit of time to get used to that but we felt very much that it was time to move on.' Fans attending on the first couple of days at least will have a bumper selection of British players to follow, with 23 in action across the main singles draws, the most since 1984. Numbers in the queue in Monday morning were so high that by 10am organisers were recommending for people intending to join it not to travel. 'I'm sure that the number of Brits in the draw is contributing to that general excitement,' added Bolton.
