Players in one of tennis' biggest events are facing scorching September temperatures.
Who are we talking about? The dozens of athletes competing in the U.S. Open in New York City, who are suffering through muggy temps that are cracking the 90s.
- It's a problem that is exacerbated with the impacts of climate change. One recent analysis from the Associated Press found that the average temperatures during the U.S. Open and other major tennis tournaments have steadily increased over the past decades.
- At one point during Wednesday's quarterfinal between Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, Medvedev turned to the camera and said: "One player is gonna die. And they're gonna see."
- The world no. 3 followed up after the match, saying: "It was brutal ... At the end of the first set, I kind of couldn't see the ball anymore."
Daniil Medvedev on the conditions in his match against Andrey Rublev:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
“One player is gonna die. And they’re gonna see.” pic.twitter.com/zQhXWmdGQU
What's the big deal? The high heat is grueling for players and may also change how the tournaments are structured and played.
- This year, a new rule was implemented to partially close the roof at the main stadium, Arthur Ashe, in an attempt to provide more shade for players.
- However, the roof being closed has now resulted in less breezes flowing through, with some players noting the impacts of these weather conditions on their game.
- After facing off against each other, Medvedev and Rublev both were visibly exhausted, with Medvedev immediately covering himself in ice.
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Some of the reactions Daniil Medvedev & Andrey Rublev had to the conditions show just how exhausting it was playing today.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
🥵
pic.twitter.com/Cpf33ok72B
What are people saying?
Here are Medvedev's more considered thoughts after his win on Wednesday about what could be done:
Daniil Medvedev was asked if he’d like to see tennis change how it approaches extreme conditions:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
“I’m not sure what we can do. We probably can’t stop the tournament for 4 days bc then it basically ruins everything. TV, tickets, everything. Could we go to 3 sets when conditions… pic.twitter.com/i56FlVVohc
Julia Elbaba, a former professional tennis player and current sports journalist for NBC, is covering the U.S. Open, and spoke with All Things Considered's Juana Summers about how this heat is affecting the game:
And former tennis star John McEnore had his say on ESPN about what he believes the United States Tennis Association should do:
So, what now?
- High temperatures in New York show no sign of ceasing until Saturday, where possible rainfall could drop temperatures a few degrees.
- And the tournament carries on, with the women's singles final on Saturday and the men's singles final on Sunday.
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