Searing heat persists in Cincinnati, yet it hasn't deterred Alcaraz. He's triumphing over Nardi and advances to the quarterfinals.
Tennis Players Face Heat Challenges at 2025 Cincinnati Masters 1000
The Cincinnati Masters 1000 ATP tournament this year has been marked by high temperatures and humidity, creating challenging conditions for the players. With temperatures around 32°C and humidity at 50%, the conditions have been likened to being in an oven, leading to dehydration, exhaustion, and even collapses on court.
Several top players have been affected by these extreme conditions. Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Arthur Rinderknech have all experienced severe heat-related issues. Rinderknech collapsed mid-match from dehydration and was forced to retire, while Sinner withdrew during the final due to heat stress.
The heat has also taken a toll on other players, with Camila Osorio, Léolia Jeanjean, Italian Luciano Darderi, and Davidovich retiring from their respective matches due to physical discomfort or accumulated matches this season. Francisco Comesaña suffered a heat stroke during his match against Reilly Opelka and had to be attended to by tournament medical staff.
The extreme weather conditions have raised widespread criticism of tournament scheduling and heat policies. Former players and coaches, including Coco Gauff's ex-coach and Ivan Ljubicic, have condemned the ATP for insufficient adaptation to the heat. They have urged changes to protect players' health and improve recovery and competition fairness.
One player who has managed to cope with the heat is Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish player qualified for the quarterfinals, defeating Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4. Alcaraz joked about the high temperatures, saying he tries to endure them because he's used to hot weather from Murcia.
Alcaraz's quarterfinal opponent is Russian Andrey Rublev, who defeated Francisco Comesaña 6-2, 6-3. The first set played by Alcaraz in the match against Nardi lasted just 27 minutes.
However, the heat wave expected for the US Open could pose a greater challenge, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38°C during peak hours of the day. This could mean that players could face playing up to five hours in Grand Slam matches, making heat management even more crucial.
The heat has also highlighted the need for better heat management protocols in major tennis tournaments. As anticipation builds for the upcoming US Open, concerns about the extreme heat conditions have been heightened. It remains to be seen how the ATP will adapt to these challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of its players.
[1] Tennis.com
[2] ESPN
[3] BBC Sport
[4] The Guardian
[5] Sports Illustrated
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