PARIS — Rising temperatures during the opening rounds of the French Open have changed playing conditions on the clay courts and created difficult conditions for players and spectators alike.
Temperatures reached around 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) on Monday at Roland Garros, with forecasts indicating the heat could continue through the first week of the Grand Slam tournament.
Several players, including Iga Swiatek and Daria Kasatkina, said the unusually hot weather had affected the pace of play and court behavior during first-round matches.
Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, defeated Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the women’s singles first round on Monday while adapting to faster clay-court conditions created by the heat.
Players Adjust to Faster Clay Conditions
The hotter weather has made the clay courts play quicker than usual for the Paris tournament, traditionally known for slower rallies and longer exchanges.
“It is much different,” Swiatek said after her opening-round victory, noting comparisons to the heat experienced during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Kasatkina, who beat Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-4, said maintaining concentration in the heat had become an additional challenge during matches.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur said the warmer conditions suited his aggressive style after defeating Toby Samuel in straight sets during the men’s singles draw.
Players were seen using ice packs and cold towels during changeovers as temperatures climbed across the tournament grounds.
Fans Seek Relief Around Tournament Grounds
Spectators also struggled with the heat during daytime sessions at Roland Garros.
Fans gathered near sprinklers and misting areas throughout the venue, while court maintenance crews occasionally sprayed water toward spectators seeking relief between sets.
Tournament organizers continued regular court watering procedures to maintain the clay surfaces as dry weather intensified conditions on the courts.
The French Open is typically played in cooler spring conditions compared with the Australian Open and the US Open, where extreme heat protocols are more commonly used.
Tournament Continues Amid Forecasted Heat
The opening rounds continued this week despite concerns over prolonged high temperatures in Paris.
Organizers have not announced major scheduling changes, although players and teams are expected to continue taking additional cooling measures during matches.
The tournament will proceed with first-round and second-round matches throughout the week as players compete for spots in the later stages of the clay-court Grand Slam.
