Wimbledon Championships may see hottest temperatures in tournament history

LONDON, June 28 (UPI) -- A major heat wave is expected to descend on London this week, and officials at the world's most prestigious tennis tournament have already got a plan in place to provide relief.

Forecasters say temperatures may surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week at the All England Tennis Club, the storied venue that hosts Wimbledon -- though on the eve of the tournament Sunday, rains fell on the famous grass courts there. The Championships open Monday.

Exhaustion, discomfort, dehydration and heat stroke are just some of the things club officials are planning for -- involving both the players and fans.

"Fans should drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen. We have water fountains and bottled water can be brought into the grounds," tournament spokesman Johnny Perkins said in a report by Britain's Telegraph Sunday. "The Championships is an outdoor daytime event."

Unlike the United States Open and the Australian Open -- two of the year's other major tennis tournaments -- Wimbledon has rarely played a match after dark, although lights are installed on the main venue.

Tennis' fourth major tournament, the French Open, also plays all of its matches during daylight -- but it is held in May, when temperatures rarely rise to dangerous heat levels. Wimbledon is played in late June and early July.

Temperatures have never surpassed the 100-degree mark in Wimbledon's 138-year history. The hottest temperature on record occurred at the 1976 tournament, when the mercury topped out at 94.

In 2009, a retractable roof was installed over Centre Court -- the main venue. Several matches take place at Centre Court during Wimbledon's two-week run, however officials made clear that they would not close the roof to provide shade or air conditioning.

"In good weather, the roof will only be used if it is too dark to play on without it," Perkins said.

In the event a fan or player needs medical treatment, the club has its own medical facility and staff. Officials said extra paramedics will also be available to provide treatment, if needed.

In another bit of news Sunday, eighth-seeded David Ferrer withdrew from the tournament due to an elbow injury, BBC News reported. The Spaniard currently holds a world ranking of No. 7.