The $30 million French Open under the spotlight

The French Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, has been marred by extreme heat, leaving players struggling to cope.. The tournament, which is estimated to be worth around $30 million, has seen several players collapse due to the heat, including Czech tennis player Jakub Mensik.

Mensik, who was playing in the second round, collapsed after a grueling five-set match against Mariano Navone. He described the conditions as 'insane' and said that he was not able to do anything after hitting the last point.

Players employ desperate measures to cope with the heat

Players have been employing various strategies to cope with the heat, including packing towels with ice and drinking plenty of water. However, these measures have not been enough to prevent several players from collapsing.

Casper Ruud , a Norwegian tennis player, described feeling 'a bit like heatstroke' and compared it to a previous experience in Washington where he had to retire due to heat.

Eva Lys ,another tennis player, said that the conditions were 'very difficult' and that she had to pay close attention to her diet and hydration levels to avoid collapsing.

Djokovic calls for policy change

Novak Djokovic, a world-renowned tennis player, has called for the French Open and other Grand Slams to adopt a rule used at the Australian Open, where play is suspended on outside courts if temperatures reach a certain threshold.

Djokovic said that it was 'not ideal' to play matches that go over midnight, but that it was a necessary measure to ensure player safety.

He added that the French Open and other Grand Slams have the resources to implement a similar rule , and that it was 'something to consider'.

The impact on players

The extreme heat at the French Open has had a significant impact on players, with several collapsing due to heat exhaustion.. The tournament has also seen several players retire due to heat-related issues .

The French Open uses two wet bulb sensors to monitor heat,and players are entitled to 10-minute breaks after the second set in women's matches and after the third set in men's matches.

However, these measures have not been enough to prevent the heat-related issues, and players are calling for a more comprehensive solution.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

The French Open has been criticized for its handling of the heat, with some auditors flagging concerns in the May filing .

The filing highlighted concerns about the tournament's heat policy and the impact it has on players.

It also raised questions about the tournament's ability to implement a more comprehensive heat policy.