As Wimbledon 2025 kicks off on what is forecast to be its hottest opening day in 147 years, the All England Club has introduced a special 10-minute heat break rule to protect players from soaring temperatures, expected to reach between 32°C and 36°C.
The previous record for the tournament’s hottest start was 29.3°C in 2001, while the all-time Wimbledon temperature record stands at 35.7°C set on July 1, 2015.
To mitigate the heat impact, the All England Club stated it has “comprehensive plans in place” for guests, players, and staff. Championships referee Denise Parnell confirmed that the heat rule would apply to all singles events—from main draws to qualifiers, including wheelchair and junior categories.
Under the new regulation:
-
A 10-minute break will be permitted after the 2nd set (in best-of-three matches) and after the 3rd set (in best-of-five matches).
-
It will apply when Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reaches 30.1°C or more.
-
Only one player’s request is needed to activate the break.
-
No coaching or medical treatment is allowed during this period.
-
The rule does not apply to matches under roof cover or carried-over matches beyond specific progress stages.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon 2025 also features a record prize pool of £53.55 million, with singles champions earning £3 million each—an 11% increase from 2024.
Key projected men’s quarterfinals include Novak Djokovic vs Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune. For women, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek are among the top contenders.
With scorching heat and rising competition, Wimbledon 2025 promises intense action—both on and off the court.
