The climate center predicts: high temperatures will be the biggest challenge at this year's US Open! Medvedev: There may be players who die.

Talking about the weather might be the oldest small talk topic for humans, much less engaging than discussing Alcaraz's drop shots, Gauff's serving issues, or whether Fritz and Shelton can become the first American men's Grand Slam singles champion in over 20 years (since Roddick).

However, it is clear that the officials at the US Open are addressing this, albeit with some worries. New York is experiencing its second hottest summer on record and is expected to become the fourth hottest year in history. Players, spectators, and staff must recognize this situation and find ways to cope with potentially brutal heat and humidity.

Most weather models, including those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center, forecast that temperatures in the coming weeks will be significantly above average, reaching as high as approximately 95°F (35°C). We may see a repeat of the 2023 scenario, when several days of oppressive heat made it unbearable, and during the quarterfinals against Rublev, Medvedev even ominously predicted to the sideline camera, “One player will die; they will see.”

This is not the first time such concerns have arisen. In recent years, worries about extreme heat have become more frequent, even spreading to the typically cool and damp tennis haven of Wimbledon. This year's high temperatures in London were so uncomfortable that some suggested closing the roofs of Centre Court and Court 1 during the day to provide shade and cooling, though not everyone agreed.

“I don’t think they should close the roofs because this is an outdoor event,” said defending champion Alcaraz. “Battling the heat is one of the challenges we have to face. Honestly, playing in these conditions is really tough, but we are tennis players. I’ve always said we need to adapt to these conditions as quickly as possible.”

The facts also show that even players like Medvedev in 2023, who grit their teeth to finish matches, can suffer from extreme heat. Ultimately, he lost to Djokovic in the final with scores of 3-6, 6-7, 3-6. After winning her first-round match at Wimbledon this summer, German player Lis told reporters that the heat intensified the fatigue from low shots on grass. “I don’t know if anyone saw, but I slipped twice,” she said. “That might also be due to the heat, as I wasn’t focused enough, and my footwork wasn’t clean.”

The dangers of fatigue and dehydration manifest in various forms; even with ice towels, sideline fans, and hydration drinks, they can only alleviate but not eliminate the issues. Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and decreased motor control are significant threats—more pronounced on hard courts than on grass or clay, as hard courts reflect heat rather than absorb it, placing greater stress on bones and joints.

“I think you reach a point where you’re so tired that you don’t even know what you’re doing anymore,” said former US Open champion Raducanu after a grueling victory over Sakkari in Washington. That was her first time reaching a tour semifinal in two years. She was so exhausted that she couldn’t even feel nervous or distracted, adding a somewhat sarcastic remark: “Maybe that actually helped me.”

US Open officials first established an official heat policy in 2018: when the “heat stress index” exceeds 90°F (about 32°C) with 50% humidity, partial closure of the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof is permitted to shield players and spectators from the sun. The match between Medvedev and Rublev had the roof partially closed for this reason.

The foresighted USTA added more advanced guidelines in 2024—the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)—but this metric only measures physical environmental conditions, whereas the heat stress index also considers factors like clothing and exercise intensity.

Last year, the US Open's official medical team monitored the WBGT every 30 minutes, but conditions never reached the threshold to trigger emergency cooling measures (including extra breaks, using cooling devices, and closing roofs). The medical team also practiced on-site emergency procedures with first responders, the New York Fire Department, and venue staff.

However, like the Australian Open, the US Open avoids implementing a policy that would require suspending matches upon reaching certain high temperature and humidity conditions. As early as 2013, Medvedev pointedly stated, “I’m not sure what we can do because we can’t stop matches just because it’s been hot for three or four days. That would ruin everything—TV broadcasts, ticket sales…everything would be ruined.”

Moreover, as Alcaraz pointed out, players who can mentally and physically prepare for extreme heat may have an advantage in adverse conditions. Gauff is one of them, benefiting from years of training and living in humid Florida.

In her recent second-round victory over Kudermetova at the Canadian Open, Gauff had already played for over five hours in the sweltering heat. When asked if she was concerned about competing for long periods in the heat, she replied, “My fitness is still there. I’m not at the point where these matches will exhaust me.” She explained that in the weeks leading up to the matches, she had been training in Florida’s humid, 90°F (about 32°C) weather, spending three to three and a half hours on the court each day, plus strength training, “so these matches aren’t as long as they seem.”

“Of course, I hope to keep the matches under two hours, but if it has to be longer, I’ll be out there without hesitation,” Gauff said. Her training regimen is impressive, but even heat warriors have their limits. Let’s hope that in the coming weeks, we won’t see anyone reach that limit.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)