Wimbledon, a tournament known for strawberries, whites, and rain delays, delivered none of the usual and all of the unthinkable on its hottest opening day in history.

By midday Monday, temperatures at the All England Lawn Tennis Club surged to 29.7°C (85.5°F)—eclipsing the record set back in 2001, according to the UK Met Office. And with forecasts predicting highs of 34°C (93°F), this year’s tournament could challenge Wimbledon’s all-time hottest day set on July 1, 2015.

The oppressive heat tested not only the athletes’ endurance but also the patience and safety of spectators—some of whom fainted in the stands, while others left the grounds early in search of shade and sanity.

It’s the first time playing with heat on grass… it was really tough on the legs,” said Germany’s Eva Lys, who battled through her match in sweltering conditions. “I think the spectators didn’t have it easy either.

Alcaraz Runs for Water as Fans Suffer in Stands

During a match between two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Fabio Fognini, play was stopped after Alcaraz noticed a fan in distress. The Spaniard sprinted across the court to bring water to the spectator—a powerful reminder that heat exhaustion doesn’t spare anyone at Wimbledon.

There was no place to hide if you actually wanted to watch the tennis said fan Stan Turner. It was quite overpowering.

Inside the venue, loudspeakers warned of the heat, water refill stations were overrun, and wide-brimmed hats became as essential as match tickets. But on the outer courts, shade was a luxury few could afford.

Wimbledon’s Heat Rule Triggered

With temperatures exceeding 30.1°C (86.2°F), Wimbledon’s “heat rule” came into effect, allowing players to take 10-minute breaks after the second set (in three-set matches) or third set (in five-set matches)—provided they’re not playing under a roof.

But experts say it may not be enough.

High heat impairs both physical endurance and cognitive function,” said Chris Tyler, a specialist in environmental physiology at the University of Roehampton. “Without effective cooling strategies, players are at risk of dizziness, fainting, and poor decision-making.

Players Try to Adapt, Fans Just Try to Survive

Frances Tiafoe, the U.S. 12th seed, took the heat in stride. After beating Elmer Møller in straight sets, he told reporters, “I didn’t feel that hot out there… maybe wearing white helped.”

Still, Tiafoe changed shirts five times to combat the sweat—something Sonay Kartal later admitted she should’ve done too.

I think a bit of a rookie mistake, not doing a change of clothes at the end of the set,” Kartal said. “It was hot, but I had ice towels and cold drinks… I wouldn’t say it affected me too much.

Off the court, fans like Paul Shaya said the heat nearly ruined the magic.

We arrived at 6:30 a.m. and waited in line for seven hours. It was so hot, people were sleeping all over the place. We couldn’t drink enough water.

Meanwhile, Shari Berke summed up what many were feeling after hours in the sun:

There were no seats in the shade. We haven’t had a break in 10 hours.

The Bigger Heat Crisis

The UK Health Security Agency issued amber alerts across London and other areas, warning of increased risks for the elderly and vulnerable populations. At least 20 countries across Europe have similar alerts in place, making this an early summer heatwave of continental proportions.

As for Wimbledon, a brief cooldown is expected by midweek, with potential rain returning—perhaps a blessing for players and fans hoping for a more traditional British tennis experience.

Until then, one thing is clear: at Wimbledon 2025, the battle is as much against the heat as it is across the net.