PARIS (AP) — Tennis players at the French Open are feeling the heat—literally. The opening days have seen temperatures soar to about 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit). This kind of heat hasn’t been felt at Roland Garros since the Paris Olympics in 2024. And the forecast indicates high temps will likely stick around throughout the week.
The sweltering conditions change the pace on the court. “It’s much different. Maybe it was that hot during the Olympics, but the balls were different,” said Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion. After a solid win over Emerson Jones, she noted that these conditions affect the entire game.
Players are finding unique ways to stay cool. Some use ice packs on their necks during breaks. Fans, meanwhile, are flocking to sprinklers for relief. Even when workers water the clay courts, they aim hoses at spectators starved for a little cool mist.
Daria Kasatkina, who won her first match against Zeynep Sonmez, remarked, “I don’t remember it being this hot at Roland Garros. It makes for more intense matches.” The heat can wear you down quickly, requiring players to remain mentally focused. “You can sit on the bench and suddenly feel your concentration slip,” she said. “It becomes a battle against the conditions.”
This year, the extreme heat is impacting not just the players but also leading to some retirements. Canadian player Gabriel Diallo had to withdraw from his match against James Duckworth due to the heat. In another match, both Andrey Rublev and Ignacio Buse called for medical help, highlighting how taxing the conditions are on the body. A weary ball girl also needed assistance during the intense gameplay.
The French Open usually provides a cooler climate compared to the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. However, they’ve introduced a heat policy similar to those tournaments. If the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)—which factors in aspects like humidity and wind—reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), they allow cooling breaks. If it hits 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), play can be suspended. Notably, it takes temperatures around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) to fully halt matches.
Some players are welcoming the heat. “I prefer hot conditions on clay because it allows me to play more aggressively,” said Alex de Minaur after winning his match. Fellow American Alex Michelsen echoed this sentiment, saying, “The heat benefits our game style, helping the ball move faster.”
As players adapt to unusual temperatures, it’s clear the 2023 French Open will be memorable for more than just the tennis.
For more updates on tennis events, visit AP Tennis.
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Tennis, Daria Kasatkina, French Open Tennis Championships, Andrey Rublev, Alex Michelsen, Alex De Minaur, Ignacio Buse, Weather, 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Heat waves, French Open, Sports, Zeynep Sonmez, Iga Swiatek, Toby Samuel, Paris, Gabriel Diallo, Alexander Shevchenko, James Duckworth
