Wimbledon officers are preserving gamers protected in heatwave with ice towels and gel packs
Tournament bosses have also updated practices due to the threat of heatwaves, including shorter shifts and ‘cooling scarves’ for ball boys and girls, and more water stations for punters and staff
20:29, 06 Jul 2026Updated 20:31, 06 Jul 2026
Spectators in the queue are getting hot(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Wimbledon officials are keeping players and fans safe during the “extreme heatwave” by handing out 500,000 suncreams and installing extra shelter zones.
Handheld fans are being sold in Wimbledon’s shop for the first time, as temperatures are expected to exceed 34C in SW19 this week. And more than 100 ice towels and electrolyte gel packs will be given to players to help them regulate their temperature.
If temperatures reach over 30.1C, players will receive a 10 minute ‘heat break’ and wheelchair players will get 15 minutes of respite.
Tournament bosses have also updated practices due to the threat of heatwaves, including shorter shifts and ‘cooling scarves’ for ball boys and girls, and more water stations for punters and staff.
Murray Mound is expected to undergo a revamp too, with vital shady spots to be offer via a pergola. Walking around the site, fans are constantly reminded by a voice over the tannoy reminding them to drink water and find shade.
Speaking to Daily Star, wilting fans in The Queue said they were “struggling with the heat”.
“We’ve been here for a couple of hours and it’s been intense,” said Pam Danielson, 58. “Staff have been great and are making sure everyone is OK. Luckily there are some bits of shade and we’ve been told people are moving ahead of us.”
Another queuer from the US, Bill Rafferty, said: “I’ve just flown over from the states – this is nothing compared to how hot it is over there.”
The Daily Star approached Wimbledon officials for comment. It comes as the UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow warning for large parts of the country – including London – until Saturday.
The heat is expected to spike on Thursday and Friday, rivalling the highest ever recorded temperature at Wimbledon of 35.7C in 2015.
