Wimbledon, long associated with depressing rain delays, is introducing emergency playing rules for hot weather for the first time today, as temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s.
Organizers say a heat rule, which allows for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets of women’s matches, can be used when temperatures rise above 30.1?C.
However, the rule — which has been adopted by Wimbledon after lobbying from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) — does not apply to men, even though they have to slug it out over the best of five sets.
Yesterday’s heat hovered around the 30?C mark, but is expected to surge to around 35?C today.
RECORD HEAT
The highest-ever temperature recorded at Wimbledon was 34?C in 1976.
Despite the heat, the All England Club said that the Centre Court roof would not be closed, to preserve the tournament’s integrity as an outdoor event.
Maria Sharapova, the highest earner in women’s sport and the 2004 champion at Wimbledon, said it was wrong to describe the heat index rule being invoked only for women as sexist, but said the men too should be allowed the same courtesy.
“I think if it’s something that they’re concerned about it, they can reevaluate,” the Russian said. “If it does get quite hot for us, we’re able to use it, then why not?”
‘THIS WILL BE OK’
Women’s world No. 1 Serena Williams, who like Sharapova is scheduled to play today in the second round, said the heat would not concern her, as she regularly trains in temperatures higher than 40?C at her Florida home.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played in 34, 35 degrees here, but I do in other countries. I just was training in Florida — it was like 42 degrees. This will be OK,” said the American, a five-time champion at Wimbledon.
In a country often overly fixed on day-to-day climate fluctuations, there is a mass of data reflecting the tournament’s highs and lows.
HIGHS AND LOWS
The hottest average maximum daily temperature — 30.8?C was recorded in 1976, while the lowest minimum recorded was 4.9?C on June 24, 1999.
Only five Wimbledon tournaments have seen no rain whatsoever, the most recent of which was in 1993.
Spectators more accustomed to a wet and cooler Wimbledon can rest easy, with rain expected tomorrow and temperatures set to drop by about 10?C.
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