As the sun beats down on center court and players drip with sweat, it’s becoming increasingly clear that climate change is serving up some serious challenges for the world of tennis. From scorching temperatures at the Australian Open to washouts at Wimbledon, extreme weather is reshaping how we play and watch the sport we love. Let’s take a deep dive into how rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are affecting tennis tournaments around the globe. Text by Alexander Ostrovsky Academy
The Heat is On: Australian Open Feels the Burn
The Australian Open, traditionally the year’s first Grand Slam, has become a crucible of climate change’s effects on tennis. Melbourne’s summers have always been hot, but recent years have seen temperatures soar to dangerous levels.
In 2014, play was suspended when the mercury hit 43.9°C (111°F). Players suffered from heat exhaustion, with some describing the conditions as “inhumane.” Since then, the tournament has implemented an extreme heat policy, but it’s a band-aid on a growing problem.
“It’s like playing tennis in a sauna,” says former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. “You’re not just competing against your opponent; you’re battling the elements too.”
The impact isn’t limited to player performance. Attendance numbers dip on extremely hot days, affecting the tournament’s bottom line. TV viewership can also suffer as matches are postponed or moved to cooler hours, disrupting prime-time schedules.
Tournament organizers have responded with infrastructure upgrades, including retractable roofs on major courts and cooling stations for spectators. But as temperatures continue to rise, more drastic measures may be needed to keep the “Happy Slam” from becoming the “Hellish Slam.”
Wimbledon: When English Summer Turns Soggy
While the Australian Open grapples with heat, Wimbledon faces a different climate challenge: increased rainfall. The quintessentially British tournament, famous for its strawberries and cream, is becoming equally known for its rain delays.
Climate scientists predict that UK summers will become wetter as global temperatures rise. This spells trouble for a tournament already notorious for its weather interruptions. In 2016, rain disrupted play on all but one day of the first week, leading to a backlog of matches and frustrated players and fans.
The All England Club has taken steps to mitigate the impact, most notably by installing a retractable roof on Centre Court in 2009 and on No. 1 Court in 2019. However, these solutions are limited to a small number of matches.
“Wimbledon without rain would be like strawberries without cream,” jokes three-time champion Boris Becker. “But jokes aside, the increasing unpredictability of the weather is a real concern for players and organizers alike.”
The tournament is exploring further adaptations, including more covered courts and improved drainage systems. There’s even talk of potentially moving the tournament dates to find a drier window in the British summer – a change that would shake the tennis calendar to its core.
Roland Garros: Clay Courts in a Pressure Cooker
The French Open, played on the iconic red clay of Roland Garros, is not immune to climate change effects. Paris has experienced several heatwaves in recent years, turning the slow, grinding clay-court matches into tests of heat endurance.
Clay courts, which typically play slower and produce longer rallies, become faster and drier in extreme heat. This subtle change can have a significant impact on playing styles and strategies, potentially favoring certain players over others.
“The clay becomes almost like a hard court in this heat,” notes Rafael Nadal, the ‘King of Clay’. “It changes the whole dynamics of the game.”
Moreover, the intense heat can cause the clay to crack, leading to uneven bounces and potential injury risks. Groundskeepers work overtime to keep the courts playable, but it’s an uphill battle against rising temperatures.
Roland Garros has plans to combat these issues, including the recent addition of a retractable roof on Philippe-Chatrier court and improved cooling systems throughout the grounds. But as Paris summers get hotter, the tournament may need to consider more dramatic changes to preserve the unique character of clay-court tennis.
US Open: Big Apple, Bigger Climate Challenges
The US Open, held in the heart of New York City, faces a double whammy of climate change impacts: heat and hurricanes. Late summer in New York can be stiflingly hot and humid, conditions exacerbated by the urban heat island effect.
In 2018, several players retired from their matches due to heat-related illnesses when temperatures soared above 35°C (95°F). The tournament implemented a heat rule, allowing for extended breaks between sets, but players and fans alike suffered in the sweltering conditions.
“It’s not just about playing tennis anymore,” says Novak Djokovic. “It’s about surviving out there.”
But heat isn’t the only concern. The US Open’s timing coincides with hurricane season, and climate change is making these storms more frequent and intense. In 2011, Hurricane Irene disrupted the tournament’s buildup, and future storms could pose even greater threats.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has invested heavily in climate resilience, including improved ventilation systems and flood protection measures. But as New York’s climate becomes more extreme, the “Grand Slam of the Americas” may need to consider radical solutions, such as moving to a cooler location or a different time of year.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Grand Slams
While the Grand Slams grab the headlines, climate change is impacting tennis tournaments at all levels. Smaller events often lack the resources to implement expensive climate adaptation measures, leaving them more vulnerable to extreme weather.
“We’ve had to cancel more tournaments in the last five years than in the previous twenty,” says a director of a challenger-level event. “It’s becoming harder to plan and budget when you don’t know if a heatwave or storm will wipe out half your schedule.”
This uncertainty trickles down to players, especially those lower in the rankings who rely on a consistent tournament schedule to earn ranking points and prize money. Climate disruptions can have career-altering consequences for these athletes.
Adaptation and Innovation: Tennis Fights Back
The tennis world isn’t taking these challenges lying down. From technological innovations to policy changes, the sport is evolving to meet the climate crisis head-on.
Advances in materials science are producing rackets and strings that perform better in extreme temperatures. Clothing manufacturers are developing fabrics that offer better cooling and UV protection. Some tournaments are experimenting with climate-controlled courts, although the energy requirements of such solutions raise their own environmental questions.
On the policy front, the ATP and WTA are considering changes to the tennis calendar to avoid the hottest months in certain regions. There’s also growing support for a unified extreme weather policy across all tournaments to ensure player safety and consistent application of rules.
“We need to think creatively and act boldly,” says former player and climate advocate Martina Navratilova. “Tennis has always been an adaptive sport, and now we need to adapt faster than ever.”
The Carbon Footprint of Tennis
As tennis grapples with the impacts of climate change, the sport is also facing scrutiny over its own environmental footprint. The global tennis tour requires extensive travel, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Tournaments themselves can be resource-intensive, from maintaining pristine grass courts to powering massive stadiums.
Many in the tennis world are calling for a more sustainable approach. The All England Club has pledged to make Wimbledon carbon neutral by 2030, while the Australian Open has invested in renewable energy and waste reduction programs. Players like Dominic Thiem have become vocal advocates for environmental causes, using their platforms to raise awareness about climate change.
Game, Set, Future: What’s Next for Tennis?
As we look to the future, it’s clear that climate change will continue to shape the world of tennis. The sport faces significant challenges, from ensuring player safety to preserving the unique character of its most iconic events.
Yet there’s also opportunity in a crisis. Tennis has the chance to lead by example, showcasing innovative solutions to climate challenges and inspiring fans around the world to take action. The next generation of players is coming of age in a climate-changed world, and they’re bringing fresh perspectives and fierce determination to tackle these issues.
One thing is certain: the game of tennis will need to evolve if it wants to thrive in a warming world. The clock is ticking, and it’s time for the sport to serve up some aces in the fight against climate change. Game on.
