Wimbledon 2025: Players Stay Cool with Ice Packs on Hottest Opening Day

Players, ground staff and spectators had to contend with sweltering conditions as Wimbledon recorded its hottest opening day on record. The air temperature on the grounds reached 32.3C by 16:00 BST on Monday, surpassing the previous record set in 2001. The tournament's extreme heat rule, which allows players a 10-minute break, has not been enforced yet as Wimbledon considers additional factors to determine heat stress.

Players were provided with ice packs, cold towels, and plenty of water to regulate their temperature during changeovers. Ball boys and girls were given cooling scarves, while spectators used hats, umbrellas, and towels to shade themselves. The hottest temperature ever recorded during the tournament remains 35.7C in 2015, and temperatures are forecasted to reach the mid-30s again on Tuesday.

Wimbledon organisers use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) heat index to decide when the heat rule should be enforced. The 10-minute breaks are allowed after the second set for best-of-three set matches and after the third set for best-of-five set matches, with players allowed to leave the court during the interval.

British player Sonay Kartal, after her three-set win over Jelena Ostapenko, commented on the hot conditions, mentioning she had ice towels and cold drinks to cope. She appreciated the absence of wind and rain, describing it as a good first day.

According to the source: BBC.