Taylor Townsend recently opened up about a challenge that Wimbledon players often deal with, and it’s not about serves or volleys at all. It’s more about the quirks of London’s transport and weather. With a humid heatwave rolling through the city, the temperatures at the All England Club are hitting some pretty high marks, making things uncomfortable for both players and tournament staff.
Wimbledon has stepped up by putting its heat rule into action, which means breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reaches 30.1°C (86.18°F). They’ve also set up more water stations, created shaded areas, and tweaked staffing schedules to help everyone cope with the intense heat. Even with these steps taken, dealing with the heavy humidity isn’t just a challenge on the grass courts; it really puts players to the test in all parts of their daily routines.
Townsend, with her friendly vibe, really brought this to light when she talked about her decision to head into central London during the heatwave. “Of course we decide take the tube when it’s 88 degrees outside,” the American tennis star shared on her Instagram story.
Aug 5, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Taylor Townsend (USA) hits a ball to Erika Andreeva (not pictured) during qualifying round play at Sobeys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
That comment really highlights how the heat at Wimbledon isn’t just a Centre Court thing; it affects every part of a player’s day, from getting ready in the locker room to traveling around the city.
Being packed into a subway car can feel just as stifling as being out in the blazing sun, making what should be a simple trip feel like a real challenge to get through. But, you know, this heatwave issue isn’t exactly a new thing for the prestigious event.
This isn’t just a problem for Taylor Townsend
Besides Taylor Townsend, a bunch of players have been vocal about the brutal heat at Wimbledon, pointing out how it’s really affecting everyone competing out there. This is also something from the past. In 2015, Australian Bernard Tomic mentioned that he felt really unwell during his match, especially after getting some medical treatment because of the tough conditions. “I was fatigued and starting to get dizzy out there with the heat hitting me. I just haven’t been sleeping well here. It’s been too hot,” Tomic said.
On the flip side, a few experienced players from warmer areas shared their thoughts on the situation, showing a lot of resilience. Maria Sharapova, a former Wimbledon champion who trained in Florida, mentioned, “It’s much warmer in my hometown,” suggesting that she found the conditions quite comfortable for her used-to-it body.
American John Isner shared his thoughts, saying, “It wasn’t — I don’t want to call it overrated, because it was very hot out there — but it wasn’t crazy bad. There were a lot of clouds in the sky, which helped I think a lot.” These different responses showed how players’ backgrounds and past experiences with heat affect how they see and handle Wimbledon’s sudden rise in temperatures.
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