Paris is sweltering. Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are baking the red clay at Roland Garros during the opening week of the French Open, creating faster courts and a premium on physical endurance.
The dry heat makes the ball travel quicker and bounce higher, shortening reaction times and forcing players to construct points with extra care. Top contenders, including four-time champion Iga Swiatek and seventh seed Elina Svitolina, say the tournament will be won by whoever adapts best.
Svitolina called the conditions “tricky,” noting players must battle both opponents and the weather. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic said the speed suits her game, though she acknowledged the extra toll on male players enduring longer matches.
Swiatek expects conditions to shift as the tournament progresses, but the core challenge remains: manage your body, control the ball, and adapt to the heat.