Nearly five hours in extreme heat: French Open match winner collapses, leaves court in wheelchair
Extreme heat at the 2026 French Open has reignited debate over player safety, scheduling and recovery protocols after Jakub Mensik collapsed following a gruelling five-set win. While players praised the competitive spirit, several criticised strict timing rules and limited cooling opportunities in dangerous conditions. Novak Djokovic’s call for later match schedules highlights growing pressure on organisers to adapt tennis to intensifying climate extremes.
Extreme heat at the 2026 French Open has reignited debate over player safety, scheduling and recovery protocols after Jakub Mensik collapsed following a gruelling five-set win. While players praised the competitive spirit, several criticised strict timing rules and limited cooling opportunities in dangerous conditions. Novak Djokovic’s call for later match schedules highlights growing pressure on organisers to adapt tennis to intensifying climate extremes.
