Wimbledon shatters records with hottest opening day ever

In the United Kingdom, Wimbledon experienced unprecedented heat during its opening day on June 30, 2025. This year, the All England Lawn Tennis Club was bracing for extremely high temperatures, with readings reaching around 32.3 degrees Celsius (about 90 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record of 29.3 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit) set on the tournament's first day in 2001. With a crowd of approximately 10,000 fans gathered before the gates opened, there was significant anticipation for the matches, but spectators were advised against joining the queue due to the overwhelming heat. The chief executive officer of the All England Club, Sally Bolton, highlighted that although it felt remarkably warm for Brits, athletes often compete in similar temperatures regularly throughout the tour. She also noted that the organization was taking precautions, including having more ice on court for players and instituting breaks for ball handlers. Fans were also urged to come prepared, wearing light clothing, sunscreen, and staying hydrated, as Wimbledon provided over 100 water points around the grounds. The extreme temperatures coincided with a larger heatwave affecting many parts of Europe, prompting warnings and precautions in regions like France, Spain, and Portugal, where wildfires were reported due to the heat. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the heat as the