{"id":425,"date":"2026-05-25T15:41:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=425"},"modified":"2026-05-25T15:41:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:41:58","slug":"heat-wave-at-french-open-changes-clay-courts-and-has-fans-begging-for-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=425","title":{"rendered":"Heat wave at French Open changes clay courts and has fans begging for water"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By ANDREW DAMPF<\/p>\n

PARIS (AP) \u2014 Tennis players at the French Open say they haven\u2019t experienced conditions this hot at Roland Garros since the Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n

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And the 2024 Olympics were held in July and August.<\/p>\n

Temperatures for the opening two days of the clay-court Grand Slam have soared to 33 degrees C (91 F) \u2014 far beyond normal for late May in the French capital. And it\u2019s forecast to stay that way for the entire first week.<\/p>\n

Besides making it uncomfortable for fans and players alike, the sultry conditions have also created faster conditions on court \u2014 changing the pace of the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is much different. Maybe it was that hot in the Olympics but the balls were different, so I wouldn\u2019t treat it as the same tournament,\u201d four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek said after routing Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the first round on Monday.<\/p>\n

Players have been putting bags of ice around their necks on changeovers to stay cool, while fans are refreshing themselves under sprinklers.<\/p>\n

When workers water the clay courts between sets, they have taken to directing their hoses at spectators begging to be doused, too.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember the last time it was so hot at Roland Garros,\u201d Russian-born Australian player Daria Kasatkina said after beating Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-4. \u201cMaybe one day. But we\u2019re going to have it for the whole week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kasatkina said the energy-sapping temperatures made for more up-and-down matches.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can suddenly just get out of the bench and feel that your focus dropped,\u201d she said. \u201cSo this is a battle which you have to also win. \u2026 Whoever adapts better to today\u2019s conditions gets it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The French Open is usually cool compared to the traditional heat at the Australian Open and U.S. Open.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

The Australian Open has a strict heat protocol that sets thresholds for cooling interventions. In the event of extreme heat, the tournament referee has the authority to suspend play or order extra cooling breaks.<\/p>\n

French Open organizers did not immediately respond to a request asking if they have a heat protocol.<\/p>\n

But some players were embracing the hotter air.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always preferred hot and lively conditions to chilly on a clay court, because I feel like I can bring a little bit more of my all-court tennis on this type of surface,\u201d Australian player Alex de Minaur said after beating Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier to be a little bit more aggressive. The ball is jumping. I don\u2019t necessarily have to use as much spin or heaviness, and I can let the conditions do the job for me. And it\u2019s quite physical. I don\u2019t mind the heat,\u201d De Minaur added.<\/p>\n

Same goes for American player Alex Michelsen, who eliminated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely good for us Americans,\u201d Michelsen said. \u201cGenerally we\u2019re big serve, big forehand, big ground game and like to play offense. When it\u2019s super hot, the ball is moving through the air very fast. \u2026 I was so happy when I saw the forecast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more US, Iran Inch Toward Deal as Gaps Remain on Uranium, Sanctions<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP tennis: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/tennis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By ANDREW DAMPF PARIS (AP) \u2014 Tennis players at the French Open say they haven\u2019t experienced conditions this hot at Roland Garros since the Paris Olympics. And the 2024 Olympics were held in July and August. 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