Wimbledon: Suspended matches, fainting fans and new rules as heat takes over
A seriously hot start
Wimbledon 2025 opened not with rain delays or royal arrivals, but with an unrelenting heatwave that has hampered the opening two days. Temperatures soared to 32.3°C, the hottest opening day on record, turning Centre Court into a cauldron and forcing organisers to take swift action.
Record breaking
On what became the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history, Centre Court reached a blistering 32.3°C, as Reuters reported, eclipsing the previous record set in 2001. It wasn’t long before the heat began to disrupt the action.
Alcaraz to the rescue
Alcaraz, showing remarkable poise and compassion, fetched water and stayed with her until help arrived. Lewis's niece told Wales Online what it meant to her and her aunt to see that side of the current world no.2
"He was such a sweetheart"
"He came over straight away, he stayed and he kept talking to her." She added, "He was such a sweetheart. She’s a huge fan. The first thing she asked when she came around was that did he win? And she was delighted that he did win but she was sorry she didn't get to see it!"
Four hour thriller
Alcaraz himself was pushed to the limits. The match stretched over four hours in punishing conditions, with the Spaniard eventually clawing through in five sets: 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.
Hot work out on the court
But it wasn’t just Alcaraz who had to dig deep. Aryna Sabalenka, visibly affected by the heat, was seen pressing ice against her neck during breaks. In the outer courts, several players wilted under the sun, while fans across the grounds scrambled for shade and hydration.
Not just the players
Organizers were forced to roll out additional water stations, ice towels, and neck coolers — not just for players, but also for the 250 ball kids working in the sun.
New heat rule
The All England Club has now activated a new Heat Rule for the first time. Under this rule, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) hits 30.1°C, players are granted a 10-minute break mid-match — a move widely praised by medical experts as overdue, though still deemed conservative by some.
Top players now have the advantage
"Top players with the resources for warm weather training are used to heat and are conditioned and will probably be okay, but the real problem is for players who are not used to it and cannot adapt their play," he said.
Matches delayed, spectators seeking shelter
Even with cooling measures in place, play continued under intense strain. By late afternoon on both Monday and Tuesday, spectators were being ushered into shaded rest areas. On the outside courts, matches were briefly delayed, and ground staff were seen checking court temperatures with infrared devices.
Even hotter on Tuesday
With forecasts reaching highs of 34°C on Tuesday 1 July, the Met Office issued warnings for sun exposure and dehydration. Wimbledon organizers prepared contingency plans, including earlier start times, more shaded areas, and regular heat monitoring,
