By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
June 6,2015; 10:57PM,EDT
After enduring the hottest day so far this year, cooler and more comfortable air will return to Paris as the world's best players battle for the 2015 French Open title at Roland Garros.
On Friday, players and fans had to endure the hottest weather so far this year. Temperatures soared into the lower 30s C (lower 90s F) on a day when a high in the lower 20s C (lower 70s F) is more common.
An increase in humidity boosted AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures and provided the fuel for the thunderstorm that interfered with the semi-final match between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic Friday evening.
As quickly as temperatures soared, more seasonable and less humid air will return for the finale of the French Open this weekend. Abundant sunshine will accompany the cooler air.
This was not the first time weather impacted French Open play.
Tuesday was so windy that they had to halt the play of a Men's Quarterfinal match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga when a hunk of the court's roof was blown into the stands.
What sets the French Open apart from the three other major tennis championships (Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon) is the clay surface on the Roland Garros courts, where the weather is expected to play a significant role in the outcome of the event, Tennis Channel Analyst and retired American tennis pro, Justin Gimelstob said.
These conditions are extremely favorable to players who rely on extreme racket head speed and excessive topspin, Gimelstob said.
Madison
Keys, left, of the U.S. returns the ball to Belinda Bencic of
Switzerland during the French Open tennis tournament on Thursday, May
28, 2015. (AP Photo/David Vincent)Warm and dry weather allows the clay to become thinner, which makes it hard for players to get traction and keep their footing on the course. Damp and heavy conditions allow the clay to become thicker which can slow the ball down upon contacting the court surface as it picks up moisture, according to Gimelstob.
Aggressive players, such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams, would benefit from the lighter conditions, while heavier conditions favor players who can generate their own pace and produce a flatter, linear trajectory on their shots. Those players include Novak Djokovic, Gimelstob said.
In 2014, a cool and unsettled start to the tournament placed a premium on defensive skills before warmer weather arrived for the later rounds.
RELATED:
2015 AccuWeather Europe Summer Forecast
Detailed Paris Forecast
France Weather
The grounds crew at Roland Garros faces a substantial task keeping the courts ready for play each day. According to a recent Sports Illustrated article, four of the Roland Garros courts, including the Suzanne Lenglen stadium court, are built on concrete slabs, leading to dangerous conditions when it rains and making water drainage "tricky." Additionally, the clay can blow away in the wind, so the courts must be watered daily.
As the tournament progresses, the best players will likely be able to adjust to whatever variable court conditions they face.
"Obviously all great players can adjust to whatever conditions and variables they confront, but subtle differences move the margins in different directions and could very well have an outcome in which players are hoisting the French Open trophy in a few weeks' time," Gimelstob said.
Contributions by Meteorologists Adam Douty, Eric Leister and Kristina Pydynowski.
No comments:
Post a Comment