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
