Wimbledon fans sent extreme heat warning with temperatures set to reach 34C

Wimbledon is urging attendees to stay hydrated and take precautions against the sun as the tournament braces for what is anticipated to be its hottest day yet.

Temperatures at the south-west London grand slam grounds are forecast to hit 34C on Monday, with the Met Office predicting conditions will remain above 30C for the rest of the championship.

Spectators were already seen fanning themselves and seeking refuge under parasols, with little natural shade available in the stands. All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton assured that Wimbledon is well-prepared for the heat spike, with comprehensive plans in place to safeguard guests, staff, and players.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Bolton stated: “We’ve had a bit of practise, particularly last year, but over the week before the championships (as well), and we’ve got our usual measures in place. There’s the heat rule present for the players, although I think, looking at the temperatures, we don’t anticipate getting close to that over these next few days.”

Wimbledon’s specific heat rule permits a 10-minute break during a match if the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) reaches 30.1C or higher. This rule is applied after the second set for best-of-three-set matches and after the third set for best-of-five-set matches. While players can leave the court during this interval, they are not permitted to receive coaching or medical treatment.

Further measures are in place to protect staff, including the ball boys and girls, who often spend extended periods in direct sunlight. These include shorter shifts and longer breaks.

Ms Bolton added: “They’re quite well tried and tested processes to support everyone here in the tournament to enjoy themselves once it starts to heat up. The message is the same to the fans attending – we’ve got multiple free water points around the ground, so please stay hydrated, cover up, make sure you bring your sunscreen, and make sure you enjoy the day.”

A yellow heat health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, is currently active for areas including London until 8pm on Saturday. Met Office spokesperson Andrea Bishop confirmed that grand slam guests should expect “increasingly hot and sunny conditions” as the week progresses.

She elaborated: “Temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s at the start of the week before climbing further later on, and with light winds and prolonged sunshine it is likely to feel particularly warm both on and around the courts. Anyone attending the championships should come prepared for the heat by staying hydrated, seeking shade where possible and keeping an eye on UV and pollen levels.”

Military stewards, who assist with public safety at the championships, will be readily available to support guests as the weather intensifies. These volunteers are trained in heat safety protocols to prevent sunstroke and will be distributing free sun cream to attendees. Corporal Gillian Craig noted last week that stewards are in a “good position” to monitor the crowd, adding: “If someone goes down, we would know what to do.”

La Roche-Posay, the exclusive sun care supplier for Wimbledon, anticipates distributing 500,000 sunscreen samples throughout the tournament, according to a press release. In total, half a million people are expected to attend the two-week event.

The heightened precautions follow last year’s championships, where play was halted multiple times due to medical emergencies in the crowd, including during the men’s singles semi-final, amid similar high temperatures.