Wimbledon suspends play and ditches ball kids at qualifying event amid brutal temperatures

Wimbledon qualifying at Roehampton was forced to be temporarily halted with the electronic line-calling system impacted by soaring temperatures.

All players were ushered off the courts – a few miles outside the All England Club – after the issue occurred at 12:15pm.

BBC

A red weather warning has been put in place across many parts in Britain – including London.

Temperatures in the capital rose above 34°C on Wednesday.

At Wimbledon this year, players are allowed to request a ten-minute break when heat stress index is at or above 30.1C.

It will be measured half an hour before the start of play, with follow up checks at 2pm and 5pm.

It’s ball over?

A break will be permitted between the third and fourth sets during the men’s matches, and between the second and third sets for women’s games.

Due to issues surrounding the line-calling system, it was announced that it would be fully recalibrated for play to resume at 1:15pm.

It was then pushed back until 1:25pm.

A spokesperson for the All England Club said: “There was a temporary loss of power to part of our Qualifying venue, which meant that the electronic line calling system could not function.

“Power has now been restored and play is expected to resume shortly.”

Play has since resumed on all games.

AFP

Former world number 24 Annabel Croft described the situation as ‘unusual’ when speaking on the BBC.

She said: “Well, play has been suspended here.

“It is quite an unusual situation as the heat is wreaking havoc with the electronic line calling system all around the ground.”

British star Dan Evans was one of those players affected by the suspension of play.

The 36-year-old, who is bidding to reach the main draw at SW19 for the seventh tournament in a row, has already confirmed he will retire after Wimbledon.

With the heat rule in effect, the ball kids are not being used during qualifying on Wednesday.

Amid fear over minors in the scorching heat, that job is currently being undertaken by grounds crew staff.

The first round at Wimbledon will start on Monday, June 29, once all qualifying matches have taken place, with the draw taking place on Friday.