The Wuhan Open in China descended into chaos as blistering heat forced British tennis star Emma Raducanu to retire from her match and left world number one Novak Djokovic visibly struggling, with tournament organisers ultimately suspending play due to the dangerous conditions.
Raducanu's Early Exit Amid Scorching Temperatures
Emma Raducanu's highly anticipated return to competitive tennis ended in disappointment as the 21-year-old was forced to retire during her opening match against world number 82 Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The US Open champion appeared visibly distressed by the extreme heat before slumping into her chair and making the difficult decision to withdraw from the tournament.
The brutal conditions saw temperatures soar above 35°C with humidity levels making it feel even hotter, creating an environment that tournament doctors deemed potentially hazardous for players' health.
Djokovic's Visible Struggle in Oppressive Heat
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic provided disturbing scenes during his match against Roman Safiullin when the 24-time Grand Slam champion was seen vomiting courtside. The Serbian star, known for his incredible physical conditioning, struggled to maintain his usual level of performance in what players described as "almost unplayable" conditions.
Djokovic later commented: "I've played in hot conditions before, but this was something else entirely. The combination of heat and humidity made it difficult to breathe properly, let alone compete at the highest level."
Tournament Suspension and Player Safety Concerns
The extreme conditions prompted tournament organisers to take unprecedented action, suspending all outdoor matches until temperatures become more manageable. This decision came after multiple players reported dizziness, cramping, and breathing difficulties during their matches.
Medical staff at the event confirmed several cases of heat-related illness, raising serious questions about player welfare protocols in extreme weather conditions. The incident has sparked renewed debate about whether tennis needs clearer guidelines for suspending play during heatwaves.
As climate change continues to affect global weather patterns, this incident at the Wuhan Open serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing outdoor sports during increasingly common extreme heat events.
