On a day the temperatures touched a record 35.7 degrees Celcius, the Centre Court roof was closed before play started to protect the playing surface from the heat, but it was reopened
Organisers' corrective measures...
On a day the temperatures at Wimbledon touched a record 35.7 degrees Celcius, the Centre Court roof was closed before play started to protect the playing surface from the heat, but it was reopened in advance of the first match of the day, when Novak Djokovic was facing Jarkko Niemenen. Wimbledon only closes the roof during play for rain or bad light. Wimbledon chiefs also cut the capacity at the club by 1,000 to 38,000. "This is to make more space within the grounds, to make it more comfortable for the visitors. There will be more room, more space in the shade and easier access to the water fountains," a spokesman said.
Also View Photos: Europe battles heatwave
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Dealing with the heat
Players such as France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert were seen using ice-filled towels around their shoulders during a break in their matches. Fans queuing outside the gates of the stadium were seen slapping on the suncream. Spectators sheltered under umbrellas while others folded up newspapers into hats to keep the sun off. Even security guards were seen smearing on the sunscreen in preparation for a sizzling day.
Ball boy collapses
Ball boys' and girls' shifts on court have been shortened from one hour to 45 minutes due to the heat. They have also been given caps with flaps of fabric at the back and sides for added sun protection, a Wimbledon spokesperson said after a ball boy collapsed on court during a second-round match.
Record-breaking heat
35.70 2015
A Level 2 health warning — declaring citizens should be 'alert and ready' for heatwave conditions — has been beamed across England.
34.60 1976
The earlier heat record at Wimbledon (94.28 degrees Fahrenheit). The record was set way back in 1976
Men sweat under tremendous temperatures
A heat rule, which allows for a 10-minute break between the second and final sets of women's matches, will be be used when temperatures rise above 30.1 degrees Celcius (86.2F). However, no such rule exists on the men's tour, even though they have to slug it out over the best of five sets. Judy Murray, mother Andy Murray, argued the rule should not just apply to the women. "I think the men should adopt it as well, especially because they have to play five sets," she said. "A Slam is such a tough thing to play in; if you're going to win a slam you need to play seven matches in 13 days."
Tomic left dizzy, sleepless
Bernard Tomic says he has been left dizzy and sleepless by the Wimbledon heatwave. The 22-year-old, who needed a medical time-out during his win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert, said: "I've only been getting three or four hours of sleep. I was fatigued and starting to get very dizzy out there with the heat hitting me."
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