The National’s Sport cover for the Thursday, July 2 issue, featuring Wimbledon, where soaring temperatures have players, spectactors and organisers struggling.
The uncomfortable conditions have players past and present debating the heat break rules at the All England Club.
“The Met Office said a temperature of 35.7C was recorded at Kew Gardens — its nearest station to the All England Club — at 2.30pm. The previous record was 34.6C in the scorching summer of 1976.
“The glorious sunshine shows no signs of abating, leaving the men’s top tennis stars to grin and bear it — while the women’s tour rules can allow for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets when the heat stress index rises above 30.1C.”
John McEnroe, for one, was in favour of allowing a break between sets.
“The first year I played the French (Open), at two sets to one after a third set if either of the two players — even if it was 66 degrees (19 C) and windy — wanted to take a 10-minute break you could.
“The tournament directors rule the ATP too much in my opinion. The players should rule it, as they should rule Wimbledon and the other majors.”
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