Despite soaring temperatures in Paris, most players have continued competing at the French Open without major problems, although Norway’s Casper Ruud was the most notable exception after fearing he had suffered heatstroke during a gruelling match on Monday.
Tournament organisers are closely monitoring conditions using two wet bulb sensors, one installed on Court Philippe Chatrier and the other on Court 14. These sensors measure a combination of air temperature, humidity, sunlight exposure and wind to calculate how much stress the heat places on the body. If the threshold is reached, officials can introduce a 10-minute break after the second set in women’s matches and after the third set in men’s matches. If temperatures rise further, play can be suspended until conditions improve.
The French Open has never before halted a match because of heat, and the current weather has so far not been severe enough to activate the policy this year. However, a heatwave in Paris is forecast to continue until Saturday, keeping the possibility of further disruption in view.
Players have been using various cooling methods throughout matches to cope with the conditions. Australia’s Daria Kasatkina described the physical challenge as “very, very tough,” saying the heat can cause concentration to drop suddenly even after a short break. She said staying focused is part of the battle on court in extreme conditions.
The situation has highlighted the growing impact of high temperatures on outdoor tennis, where athletes must manage endurance, hydration and recovery while still maintaining performance. While no matches have yet been suspended at Roland Garros, the ongoing heatwave has tested players and raised attention on the tournament’s heat policy and emergency measures.
