Home SPORTS Wuhan Open: Swiatek Survives Scorching Heat, Raducanu and Ostapenko Struggle

Wuhan Open: Swiatek Survives Scorching Heat, Raducanu and Ostapenko Struggle

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Iga Swiatek
Swiatek wins


World No. 2 Iga Swiatek kicked off her Wuhan Open campaign with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 win over Marie Bouzkova, despite the sweltering heat that forced Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko to retire from their matches. Swiatek's dominant performance set the tone for her third-round match against Belinda Bencic or Elise Mertens.


“I'm happy I didn't play yesterday because I think it was too much for most of the players...” 


Iga Swiatek cruised past Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 6-1 in her Wuhan Open debut, but the Polish star's dominant performance was overshadowed by the extreme heat and humidity that forced two other players to retire. Swiatek, the world number two, called for changes to the scheduling of matches to prioritize player safety, particularly on outside courts without roof protection.




The Heat Takes Its Toll

  • Retirements: Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko both retired from their matches due to heat-related issues. Raducanu was forced to stop her match against Ann Li after feeling dizzy, while Ostapenko retired against Sorana Cirstea.
  • Heat Rule: The tournament introduced a heat rule, allowing for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets, and giving organizers the option to close the center court roof to protect players from extreme temperatures.




Iga Swiatek expressed her concerns about the heat, stating, “I hope our matches will be scheduled... on Centre Court it's a little bit cooler because of the air conditioning and everything, but I hope the other matches will be scheduled at a time where girls can really compete rather than just die on the court.” Her comments echo the sentiments of many players who have struggled with the extreme conditions in Wuhan.


The Wuhan Open has seen a growing number of player withdrawals and retirements due to heat-related issues, sparking concerns about player safety and welfare. Swiatek's call for change highlights the need for tournament organizers to prioritize player safety and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.


“I feel like it's getting hotter in different places over the years,” she said. “I'm just trying to use my experience, recover well between the points, and just spend all my energy on having the best quality possible. But for sure it's a challenge.”


The Wuhan Open has been hit with scorching temperatures, reaching 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) with humidity levels expected to climb to 98 percent. These extreme conditions forced organizers to implement the heat rule on Monday, suspending play on outside courts while allowing matches to continue on the center court with the roof closed.


Heat Rule Details:

  • 10-minute break: Players are entitled to a 10-minute break before the final set in extreme heat conditions.
  • Play suspension: Matches can be suspended altogether if the heat stress index reaches critical levels.
  • Centre court exception: The centre court, protected by a closed roof, remains operational even when play is suspended on outside courts.


On Tuesday, the heat rule was in effect between 12:30 and 17:30, but organizers managed to keep the matches running without suspensions. Despite the challenging conditions, top players like Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu are taking part in the tournament, with Raducanum facing challenges after her retirement due to heat-related issues in her opening match against Ann Li.


“I'm happy I didn't play yesterday because I think it was too much for most of the players,” said Swiatek, who needed just 79 minutes to get through her match.


“On centre court, I think it's a little bit cooler with the air-conditioning and everything, but I hope the other matches will be scheduled at a time where girls can compete, rather than just die on the court.”


Emma Raducanu's Wuhan Open campaign came to an abrupt end as she retired from her first-round match against American Ann Li due to dizziness and heat-related issues. The British world number 30 had her blood pressure and vitals checked on court before making the decision to retire, trailing 6-1, 4-1.




The extreme heat and humidity in Wuhan have raised concerns about player safety, with several top players, including Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, criticizing the conditions in recent tournaments. The Wuhan Open has implemented a heat rule, allowing for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets, as well as the option to close the roof to protect players from the heat.


Jelena Ostapenko was forced to retire from her match against Sorana Cirstea due to heat illness, with the Latvian having her vitals checked on court. She was trailing 6-0, 2-1 at the time of her retirement. The extreme heat in Wuhan has been taking a toll on several players, with the tournament introducing a heat rule to protect them.




The WTA's heat rule has been implemented to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat, and other sports organizations are also taking steps to protect athletes. As tennis continues to face climate-related challenges, the ATP is reviewing its policies, consulting with players, tournaments, and medical experts to determine the best course of action.





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