LONDON (SNP Report): Top seed Aryna Sabalenka kept her composure under blistering heat to power into the second round of Wimbledon 2025 with a straight-sets win, as Carlos Alcaraz geared up to begin his quest for a historic third consecutive title on what turned out to be the hottest opening day in the tournament’s history.
Temperatures at the All England Club soared to 31.4°C (88.5°F) by mid-afternoon, breaking the previous record of 29.3°C set in 2001. The oppressive heat didn’t faze Sabalenka, who used ice packs between games to stay cool en route to a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine on Court One.
“I felt really great. Super grateful to be healthy and ready to compete,” said the 27-year-old Belarusian, who missed last year’s tournament due to a shoulder injury. “It was really good for me to have this little fight in the second set to see where my level is.”
A three-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka fell just short in both the Australian Open and French Open finals earlier this year. At Wimbledon, she has never advanced beyond the semi-finals but now looks poised for a deeper run. She will face either Lulu Sun (New Zealand) or Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic) in the next round.
While players and fans alike searched for shade amid the scorching London heat, all eyes turned to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who took to Centre Court for his opening match against 38-year-old Italian Fabio Fognini. With wins over Novak Djokovic in the past two finals, the French Open champion is aiming to become only the fifth man in the Open Era—after Borg, Sampras, Federer, and Djokovic—to win three straight Wimbledon titles. The celebrity-filled Royal Box saw David Beckham and Gareth Southgate in attendance, adding a touch of glamour to the opening day.
Meanwhile, Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, suffered an emotional exit. Trailing 7-6(5), 2-0 against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova, the Tunisian retired from the match after struggling physically throughout. “I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I’ve been practising pretty well,” said Jabeur. “It doesn’t help with my confidence.”
Elsewhere, former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev was stunned in a fiery upset by France’s Benjamin Bonzi, who triumphed 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. Medvedev’s frustration boiled over as he smashed his racquet against his chair following the defeat. Britain’s Sonay Kartal added to the home crowd’s delight with a memorable 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory over 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.
As soaring temperatures led Wimbledon officials to advise non-ticket holders against queuing for grounds entry, organizers confirmed the heat rule would be monitored and enforced. This regulation allows a 10-minute break in women’s matches between the second and third sets and in men’s matches between the third and fourth sets when the heat stress index exceeds 30.1°C.
Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton noted, “The athletes are used to competing in conditions like this all year, but it does feel especially hot here. We’re taking readings and will apply the heat rule if needed.”
English