Roland-Garros: Heatwave challenges players as tournament protocol remains strict

Players at Roland-Garros are battling sweltering conditions as temperatures soar, creating a challenging environment on the Parisian clay courts. On Monday afternoon, the mercury climbed to 33°C, with a "feels like" temperature of 38°C, significantly above the seasonal average.

Spectators have sought refuge in shaded areas, but players have no choice but to endure the heat. Spanish player Davidovich Fokina described his struggle, stating, "I didn't expect it to be so hot today. I suffered a lot with this heat. Since the beginning, I haven't felt so good, I felt it in my body." Russian player Mirra Andreeva, however, noted that while it was very hot, both players faced the same conditions and she was pleased to be well-prepared.

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I didn't expect it to be so hot today. I suffered a lot with this heat. Since the beginning, I haven't felt so good, I felt it in my body.

The Grand Slam tournament adheres to a strict protocol for extreme weather. Two sensors at Roland-Garros measure temperature, and officials use the WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature) index, which considers heat, humidity, and solar radiation. If the WBGT index reaches 30.1°C, players will receive ten-minute rest breaks. In extreme cases, matches can be interrupted if the heat persists.

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I didn’t expect this type of weather in Paris. But it went well. It was very hot today, but we were both subjected to the same conditions. I was happy to be well prepared for it, it didn’t really bother me on the court.