Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star, has spoken out about the difficulties he faced in the stifling Paris heat during his first-round win at the French Open. The former finalist, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, described feeling 'like a zombie' due to the extreme heat, which raised concerns about potential heatstroke.
Ruud's match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was played in sweltering conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 32°C (90°F) on the court. Despite the challenges, Ruud emerged victorious, winning in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
In an interview after the match, Ruud admitted that he was struggling to cope with the heat, saying: 'I felt like a zombie out there. I was so tired. I was feeling like I was going to pass out.' He added that he was worried he might have heatstroke, but was relieved to have made it through the match without any serious issues.
The French Open has faced criticism in the past for its handling of heat-related issues, particularly for players competing in the late afternoon and early evening sessions when temperatures are at their highest. The tournament organisers have implemented measures to reduce the impact of the heat, including providing players with extra water breaks and allowing them to change their shirts during changeovers.
Ruud's experience highlights the ongoing concerns about player welfare and the need for more effective measures to protect players from heat-related illnesses. As the tournament continues, players and officials will be closely monitoring the weather conditions and taking steps to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related problems.
While the exact number of heat-related illnesses in tennis is difficult to determine, a study by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) found that between 2015 and 2019, there were 144 reported cases of heat-related illnesses among professional tennis players. The study noted that the majority of these cases occurred during Grand Slam tournaments, including the French Open.