Wimbledon's Scorching Spectacle: Record Heat in London

The iconic Wimbledon tennis tournament kicked off to an unprecedentedly hot start, with temperatures soaring past 30 degrees Celsius. On Monday, the All England Club witnessed a scene filled with sun hats and shadows as fans desperately reached for water bottles amid the sweltering conditions.

According to the BBC, ground temperatures hit 31.4 degrees at about 2 p.m., surpassing the prior record of 29.3 degrees set in 2001. Such extreme heat led some fans to liken this Wimbledon experience to that of the Australian Open. Monday's scorching conditions threaten to outstrip the tournament's record high temperature of 35.7 degrees from 2015.

Key players, including defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, relied on ice-packed towels during intense matches. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev struggled under the oppressive heat against Benjamin Bonzi, though he was careful not to attribute his loss solely to the temperatures. Organizers implemented heat protocols, ensuring ample ice supplies and accommodations for staff and spectators, encouraging them to stay cool and protected.

(With inputs from agencies.)