Heat Wave Turns Roland Garros Into a Faster Court

Roland Garros usually enjoys milder late-May weather than the Australian or U.S. Opens. The tournament uses an extreme-weather protocol, applying the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to trigger cooling breaks or suspensions when heat exceeds limits.

Associated Press

The first two days of the 2024 French Open saw temperatures of 33 °C (91 °F), far above the late-May average in Paris. Forecasts keep the heat through the opening week, drying the clay and speeding up play. The conditions have already caused multiple medical timeouts, including a 3-hour-39-minute match between Andrey Rublev and Ignacio Buse and the retirement of Gabriel Diallo.

Associated Press

Players called the heat “energy-sapping,” noting sudden focus loss and the need to adapt quickly. Daria Kasatkina warned the conditions could affect match consistency; Gabriel Diallo cited heat as the reason for his retirement. Ice bags on necks and hoses aimed at spectators became common; a ball girl also required medical assistance. In contrast, Alex de Minaur and Alex Michelsen said the hot, fast courts favored their aggressive play.

Associated Press

The protocol triggers a 10-minute cooling break at a WBGT of 30.1 °C (86 °F) and suspends play at 32.2 °C (90 °F); a full stop requires about 38 °C (100 °F) air temperature. French Open officials have not yet responded to a request for clarification on its application this week.

Associated Press

• “It is much different. Maybe it was that hot in the Olympics but the balls were different, so I wouldn’t treat it as the same tournament,” — Iga Swiatek, four-time French Open champion

Associated Press

• “Maybe one day. But we’re going to have it for the whole week.” — Daria Kasatkina, Russian-born Australian player

Associated Press

• “I’ve 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,” — Alex de Minaur, Australian player

Associated Press

• “Generally we’re big serve, big forehand, big ground game and like to play offense. When it’s super hot, the ball is moving through the air very fast. … I was so happy when I saw the forecast.” — Alex Michelsen, American player

Associated Press

AP describes the WBGT thresholds and cooling-break rules, while ESPN notes that French Open officials did not promptly answer a request for clarification, leaving the exact activation criteria unclear. The protocol also cites a 32.2 °C WBGT limit but mentions a 38 °C air temperature for full suspension, creating a discrepancy in public understanding.

Associated Press

Meteorologists expect temperatures near 33 °C to continue through the first week, meaning further cooling breaks are likely under the WBGT rule. If WBGT exceeds 32.2 °C, play could be suspended; a 38 °C air temperature would trigger a full stop. Players and officials will monitor conditions closely.

Associated Press