HEAT WAVE HITS WIMBLEDON (Photo : TWITTER/Archie Rhind-Tutt)
The heat is on at the All England Club. Record temperatures are disrupting play in Wimbledon earlier today with a ball boy rushed to hospital after fainting and spectators trying to cope with the sweltering heat sweeping through England.
Wimbledon's official Twitter account said the boy was attended to by medics on Court 17. He was later brought to a medical facility to undergo further treatment, according to the tournament's tweet.
Another update it posted said the ball boy was doing better at the hospital.
Both spectators and players shouldn't expect any letup from the weather, as temperatures are expected to soar past 35 degrees Celsius in the coming days in what meteorologists dubbed as the hottest day of the year, according to The Independent.
In light of the developments, one senior player has questioned the wisdom of the tournament's so-called "heat rule." Instituted by the tournament, the regulation provides for 10-minute breaks for female competitors after two sets during matches when temperatures are scorching.
The heat rule only covers women, The Guardian reported.
"It's a bit interesting how the women have a different rule applied to them with the heat," remarked Australian Bernard Tomic, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2011.
"Is it fair or not? Who am I to say? I don't know. It's a tough one," he continued.
Organizers also reduced the shifts of ball boys and girls from one hour to 45 minutes as to prevent a repeat of the incident. They have also been issued caps with flaps of fabric that extend to the nape to protect themselves from the heat.
Tennis fans, on the other hand, could only do so much with regard to the heat. Wimbledon organizers rarely close the roofs above the court, except on Wednesday when it did, saying it had to protect the grass.
They maintained that being "an outdoor, daytime tournament," Wimbledon would never shield players and spectators from the heat.
Organizers, however, began reducing the number of spectators entering the grounds to watch the tournament, particularly during the hottest times of the day. The decision was made after around 100 fans needed medical attention on the first day of the Championships.
Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Club, said the tournament organizers extended "help where we can."
"One of the things we're doing with the heat predicted for the next few days is slightly reducing the initial capacity, just to see how it goes, just to see if people are getting the shade and all the water and there are no unforeseen problems," Lewis said.
