05/28/26 02:41:00
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05/28 14:35 CDT What to know about the heat policy at the French Open
What to know about the heat policy at the French Open
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Despite an unprecedented heat wave at the French Open, the
tournament's extreme weather policy has not been activated this week.
And even if it had been, it's unlikely that the retractable roof on Court
Philippe-Chatrier would have been closed before or during top-ranked Jannik
Sinner's loss.
According to the policy, if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) --- which
takes into account temperature, humidity, sun, wind and other factors ---
reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) or higher, 10-minute cooling
breaks can be added between the second and third sets for women's matches and
between the third and fourth sets for men's matches.
"If the WBGT hits 32.2 C (90 F), play is suspended... this activates around 100
F," the policy states.
The conditions during Sinner's defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Thursday
didn't hit those levels.
The temperature at the start of the match was 29 degrees C (84 F) and rose to
32 C (90 F).
The Roland Garros extreme weather policy makes no mention of closing the roofs.
There is also a retractable roof on the tournament's second-biggest stadium:
Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
That differs from the policy at the Australian Open, where if matches on the
outdoor courts have been suspended, the referee may make the decision to close
the roof --- or to keep the roof closed --- for any upcoming matches on the
arena courts.
Sinner has a history of struggling in the heat. He admitted he was lucky at the
Australian Open in January against Eliot Spizzirri when the roof was closed
midway through and the third-round match swung his way.
The French Open does not usually have so many consecutive days of extreme heat
as experienced this year: It has reached 32 C (90 F) all five days of the
tournament so far.
The heat policy has never been activated for the French Open.
Djokovic suggests holding more night matches
Novak Djokovic was asked after a grueling four-set victory on Wednesday, if the
French Open should consider changing its policy.
"It's always a discussion," he said. "But then if you close one roof, then all
of the others are playing, it's not fair, also. Why would you close center
court and then everyone else has to be playing on the heat? I wouldn't agree
with that."
Djokovic suggested that the Paris organizers should consider moving more
matches later in the day and night on days with extreme heat.
"With Grand Slams it shouldn't be an issue, because we have so many courts,"
Djokovic said. "If you have certain days that you have extreme heat and
conditions, then maybe that's something to consider."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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