Wimbledon’s heat rule explained as extreme temps loom over SW19

1°C. The All England Club’s threshold activates automatically, sidestepping referee discretion. It’s a direct response to rising temperatures; last year’s opening day was the hottest on record, and forecasts suggest another scorcher.

The rule’s existence alone signals a shift in how the tournament prioritizes safety over tradition, especially after years of criticism for lagging behind other Slams in management. The protocol uses the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature metric, which factors humidity and solar radiation—not just air temperature. 1°C, play stops for 10 minutes on the first occasion, with additional breaks possible if conditions persist.